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BSE
In North America - Harmonized rules are an important step toward open
borders
December 30, 2003 (Guelph) –
The Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) welcomes today’s
announcement by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman that the U.S.
will be implementing immediate new regulations to further harmonize food
safety rules between Canada and the U.S. Rules between the two countries
must be compatible so as to reestablish confidence by other trading
partners as well as beef and cattle trade between the two countries.
The U.S. has announced that it will
immediately require the removal of Specified Risk Materials (SRMs) from
cattle carcasses and that the country will implement a national cattle
identification system. Canada already has both in place.
SRMs refer to those parts of a carcass
known to potentially carry the BSE prions including the brain and spinal
column. Removal of SRMs in both the U.S. and Canada should allow open
access to markets regardless of an animal’s age.
Members of the 21,000-member Ontario
Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) are insistent that the recent case should
also not affect the rule making process already underway by the U.S.,
which would allow it to reopen its border to live Canadian cattle. Said
OCA president Ron Wooddisse, "The U.S. is asking other countries to
make decisions based on science not on public perception when deciding to
reopen their borders to American beef. That’s exactly what we expect
them to do."
Wooddisse said that it’s crucial that
everyone focus on the science behind BSE. "We know it’s not
contagious between animals and we know that BSE can be contained."
Officials in both Canada and the U.S. have
always known that it was possible that a few animals born prior to both
countries’ August 1997 ruminant to ruminant feed ban could contract the
disease. Said OCA Executive Director Mike McMorris, "This is exactly
what’s happening but we’re never going to reach outbreak status. We
learned from the troubles of the United Kingdom a decade ago. That’s why
we have so many safe guards in place."
These safe guards also include a stringent
testing and surveillance program at processing plants across the county;
an import ban on cattle and beef products originating from countries with
BSE, the feeding ban and the mandatory Canadian Cattle Identification
Program.
Since the May 20 announcement of BSE in
Canada, Ontario beef farmers have lost more than $100 million. Said
Wooddisse, "The economic loss and stress placed on farm families has
been extreme. We look forward to a resumption of trade as soon as
possible."
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For further information:
Mike McMorris, OCA Executive Director,
519-824-0334;
Ron Wooddisse, OCA President, 519-638-3571;
marywood@wightman.ca
OCA Website – www.cattle.guelph.on.ca
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