CattleNetwork_Today 3/26/2007 7:28:00 AM
Mike Johanns: Reasons Behind Keeping Canada Border Open
Canada’s BSE cases continue to raise hackles among many in the U.S. cattle industry who claim the open border might mean we’re at a risk of importing their problems. Senators Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., and John Thune, R-S.D. recently sent a letter to you saying, “Increasing U.S. imports of Canadian cattle and beef at this time would have a significant negative impact on the economic well-being of American cattle producers and could seriously disrupt our efforts to expand U.S. beef exports overseas…Furthermore, expanding Canadian cattle imports increases the possibility that a future case of BSE in a Canadian animal may be found in the United States. Three of Canada’s nine BSE cases occurred in cattle born long after the March 1, 1999 date proposed in the rule.” You’re on record as a proponent of keeping the border open. Can you talk about the scientific and political reasons behind your stance?
A. In drafting our proposal, we followed the latest scientific guidelines as defined by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), to prevent the introduction of animal diseases such as BSE while avoiding unjustified trade barriers. We cannot expect our trading partners to follow these same science-based standards if we do not lead by example. Ultimately we believe other countries will follow our lead, and that is good for America’s ranchers.
USDA is committed to ensuring that our regulatory approach keeps pace with the body of scientific knowledge about BSE and to including the public in our decision-making process. USDA has included an economic analysis in its proposal to allow additional cattle from Canada. We requested comments and additional information from the public.
The public comment period on the minimal risk rule closed March 12 and we are carefully analyzing all comments received.
We believe in fair, science-based trade practices. We already have in place a comprehensive set of safeguards to protect animal and human health, including import controls, an effective feed ban, and most importantly, the removal of the specified risk materials that can carry BSE, which protect American agriculture and help maintain confidence in U.S. beef.
Source: Jolley – Five Minutes With Mike Johanns
Mike Johanns: Reasons Behind Keeping Canada Border Open
Canada’s BSE cases continue to raise hackles among many in the U.S. cattle industry who claim the open border might mean we’re at a risk of importing their problems. Senators Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., and John Thune, R-S.D. recently sent a letter to you saying, “Increasing U.S. imports of Canadian cattle and beef at this time would have a significant negative impact on the economic well-being of American cattle producers and could seriously disrupt our efforts to expand U.S. beef exports overseas…Furthermore, expanding Canadian cattle imports increases the possibility that a future case of BSE in a Canadian animal may be found in the United States. Three of Canada’s nine BSE cases occurred in cattle born long after the March 1, 1999 date proposed in the rule.” You’re on record as a proponent of keeping the border open. Can you talk about the scientific and political reasons behind your stance?
A. In drafting our proposal, we followed the latest scientific guidelines as defined by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), to prevent the introduction of animal diseases such as BSE while avoiding unjustified trade barriers. We cannot expect our trading partners to follow these same science-based standards if we do not lead by example. Ultimately we believe other countries will follow our lead, and that is good for America’s ranchers.
USDA is committed to ensuring that our regulatory approach keeps pace with the body of scientific knowledge about BSE and to including the public in our decision-making process. USDA has included an economic analysis in its proposal to allow additional cattle from Canada. We requested comments and additional information from the public.
The public comment period on the minimal risk rule closed March 12 and we are carefully analyzing all comments received.
We believe in fair, science-based trade practices. We already have in place a comprehensive set of safeguards to protect animal and human health, including import controls, an effective feed ban, and most importantly, the removal of the specified risk materials that can carry BSE, which protect American agriculture and help maintain confidence in U.S. beef.
Source: Jolley – Five Minutes With Mike Johanns