Agriculture Secretary outlines plan to import Canadian cattle

Agriculture Secretary outlines plan to import Canadian cattle

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said the United States has set up a plan that would allow imports of Canadian cattle under 30 months old.

   'We will move as expeditiously as possible to begin importing Canadian cattle, but we will do so very carefully to ensure the minimal risk rule criteria are clearly met,' Johanns said Friday. 'We are coordinating very closely with other U.S. and Canadian government agencies to make certain the correct procedures are in place to properly inspect shipments and verify that our criteria are met.'

   He said the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will issue Standard Operating Procedures to their field offices, plus the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection offices.

   In addition, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will issue an update list of approved products that will be allowed across the border, and will also issue instructions to FSIS personnel that will be inspecting cattle for immediate slaughter.

   The process for importing shipments of live cattle will begin in Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will issue health certificates to verify the age and identification of the animal and ensure it meets the minimal risk criteria.

   Once verified, CBP will review the documentation and confirm the shipments are appropriate for entry into the United States. The animals will then be released to APHIS veterinarians at border inspection facilities, for inspection of cattle and validation of the Canadian certification.

   The FSIS will verify U.S. requirements are met at the point of slaughter, as well.