frenchie
Well-known member
Canada proposes new science-based import regulations to allow expanded access for U.S. cattle and beef products
Jan. 31/05
From a press release
OTTAWA -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) today announced proposed regulations to remove import restrictions
from a range of currently prohibited U.S. commodities. These restrictions
were introduced following the detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy
(BSE) in Washington State on December 23, 2003.
Based on the guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health, the
CFIA plans to permit the importation of live cattle born in 1998 or later,
beef from animals of any age from which specified risk material has been
removed and various other commodities. Products that may pose a higher risk,
such as certain animal feeds, will remain prohibited.
The proposed regulations will further align Canada's BSE-specific policy
for imports from the United States with science-based international
guidelines for safe trade, which are designed to protect public and animal
health.
With respect to bluetongue and anaplasmosis, the proposed regulations
will allow for year-round access for U.S. feeder cattle destined for
slaughter into Canadian feedlots, while maintaining the highest level of
animal health protection. Additionally, work to expand the scope for further
change relative to breeding cattle will follow the publication this year of a
recently completed study conducted in Alberta.
"Our response to BSE continues to be based on science, and science
clearly demonstrates that safe trade can and should continue with appropriate
safeguards in place," said Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Andy Mitchell.
"The consistent public and animal health measures that the United States and
Canada have adopted will allow us to move toward the full reintegration of
our markets."
The proposed regulations have been published in Canada Gazette I. A
30-day comment period ending on March 1, 2005 is being provided to allow
interested parties the opportunity to provide comments. In the interim,
current import restrictions will remain in effect.
The CFIA is currently developing a broader BSE-related import policy
that will apply to any country that has reported the disease. As with the
currently proposed regulations, this new policy will reflect the Government's
ongoing commitment to follow recognized science and the most current
understanding of BSE. The CFIA is confident that moving Canada's import
policy toward international guidelines will encourage other countries to
adopt similar, more appropriate approaches
Jan. 31/05
From a press release
OTTAWA -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) today announced proposed regulations to remove import restrictions
from a range of currently prohibited U.S. commodities. These restrictions
were introduced following the detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy
(BSE) in Washington State on December 23, 2003.
Based on the guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health, the
CFIA plans to permit the importation of live cattle born in 1998 or later,
beef from animals of any age from which specified risk material has been
removed and various other commodities. Products that may pose a higher risk,
such as certain animal feeds, will remain prohibited.
The proposed regulations will further align Canada's BSE-specific policy
for imports from the United States with science-based international
guidelines for safe trade, which are designed to protect public and animal
health.
With respect to bluetongue and anaplasmosis, the proposed regulations
will allow for year-round access for U.S. feeder cattle destined for
slaughter into Canadian feedlots, while maintaining the highest level of
animal health protection. Additionally, work to expand the scope for further
change relative to breeding cattle will follow the publication this year of a
recently completed study conducted in Alberta.
"Our response to BSE continues to be based on science, and science
clearly demonstrates that safe trade can and should continue with appropriate
safeguards in place," said Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Andy Mitchell.
"The consistent public and animal health measures that the United States and
Canada have adopted will allow us to move toward the full reintegration of
our markets."
The proposed regulations have been published in Canada Gazette I. A
30-day comment period ending on March 1, 2005 is being provided to allow
interested parties the opportunity to provide comments. In the interim,
current import restrictions will remain in effect.
The CFIA is currently developing a broader BSE-related import policy
that will apply to any country that has reported the disease. As with the
currently proposed regulations, this new policy will reflect the Government's
ongoing commitment to follow recognized science and the most current
understanding of BSE. The CFIA is confident that moving Canada's import
policy toward international guidelines will encourage other countries to
adopt similar, more appropriate approaches
