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Canada seeks to clarify U.S. decision

nonothing

Well-known member
Canada seeks to clarify U.S. decision to keep ban on older cattle imports



By Dennis Bueckert

OTTAWA (CP) - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency insisted Friday that any impact on Canada's cattle industry would be minimal following a U.S. decision to delay lifting a ban on imports of older cattle from Canada.


"For now it's a delay only," said Francis Lord, director of animal health at the agency, in an interview Friday.


"Not such a big deal. We had a new case and they just want to be sure that everything is accounted for in their risk assessment."


Earlier this month, a cow in northern Alberta tested positive for BSE. The animal was born after the introduction of new feed regulations that were supposed to stop the spread of the disease.


The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday it was postponing the re-opening of the border to older Canadian cattle pending an investigation into the latest case. Lord said a joint Canada-U.S. investigation is close to completion.


Karen Eggert, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said the rule change should be proceed once the investigation is complete.


"Canada's regulatory system is effectively protecting consumers and livestock so there's no question about safety," said Eggert.


"It's just prudent to hold the proposed rule until the joint investigation into how the animal was exposed to infected materials is complete."


"Since there is this seventh detection of BSE in Canada with a cow that was born after the 1997 feed ban, we want to revisit that rule just a bit."


Most cattle older than 30 months are used for breeding rather than food. They tend to be purebreds, sometimes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars each, and are an important component of the Canadian industry.


A U.S. ranchers' group, R-CALF USA, has been lobbying to have the ban maintained.


Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert raised concerns about possible political motivations behind the delay Friday. Eggert said politics is not a factor.


"This is a scientific evaluation. What we want to find out from this investigation is how the animal was exposed to BSE."




Herb McLane, executive vice-president of the Canadian Beef Breeds Council, said the delay is disappointing but not entirely unexpected given recent cases of BSE.


"While it is disappointing that the rule is moving back, we did expect it. What we don't know is how long that process will take."


He said the delay in the U.S. rule change will also affect exports to Mexico.

"It's unlikely we're going to be able to trade with Mexico until such time as we've restored trade with the U.S. and that's a huge disappointment to us. "

Rod MacLean, cattle buyer for Bow Slope Shipping Association in Brooks, Alta. downplayed the impact of the delay.

"It's probably going to cost us a little money, but I think purebred people are going to feel more of the pinch on that. It's not that big a deal for the straight beef producers."

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/28072006/2/national-canada-seeks-clarify-u-s-decision-keep-ban-older.html
 

Murgen

Well-known member
"It's probably going to cost us a little money, but I think purebred people are going to feel more of the pinch on that. It's not that big a deal for the straight beef producers."

Including the American and Mexican Dairy producers!
 

Judith

Well-known member
Can the Canadian rancher who is selling cows for hundreds of thousands of dollars please stand up and show yourself? Apparently you are bout to feel a bit of a pinch. LOL For christmas, I need a new pony.....
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
(0)


Mad cow puts trade plan on hold
By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration halted plans to increase imports of beef and cattle from Canada amid new evidence that Canada's safeguards against bovine spongiform encephalopathy are not working.

The Canadian safeguards are stricter than those in the United States, which is under pressure from McDonald's and other food companies to toughen the rules in this country.


Plan on hold
The Bush administration had been poised to expand beef trade with Canada, but the department said Friday the plan is on hold while Canada investigates a recently discovered case of BSE, popularly known as mad cow disease.

"It is important to confirm that Canada's regulatory system is effectively protecting consumers and livestock so there is no question about safety as we proceed," Agriculture Department spokesman Ed Loyd said Friday. At issue is a ban on using cattle remains in cattle feed, the primary firewall against the spread of mad cow disease. The only known way for cattle to get the disease is by eating feed containing diseased cattle tissue, a practice largely outlawed in Canada and the United States in 1997.

Earlier this month, Canada discovered an infected cow born in 2002, five years after the ban went into effect.

The cow's age - younger than previously infected animals - suggests a shorter incubation period for the brain-wasting disease, meaning it could have gotten a bigger dose of infection than other Canadian cases.

Researcher Michael Hansen of Consumers Union said if the feed ban was working properly, the amount of infected material in the system should drop. And if less contaminated material were getting into the feed, it should take longer for cows to develop the disease.


http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/07/29/news/state/40-mad-cow.txt
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Oldtimer said:
Earlier this month, Canada discovered an infected cow born in 2002, five years after the ban went into effect.

The cow's age - younger than previously infected animals - suggests a shorter incubation period for the brain-wasting disease, meaning it could have gotten a bigger dose of infection than other Canadian cases.

Researcher Michael Hansen of Consumers Union said if the feed ban was working properly, the amount of infected material in the system should drop. And if less contaminated material were getting into the feed, it should take longer for cows to develop the disease.

When you look at this and all the info coming out from the scientists questioning whether the disease could now be found in younger Canadian cattle- along with the many findings of UTM (under THIRTY month) positives world wide (down to 21 months)- it makes Bill Bullards questioning the importing of live cattle (of any age) and the risk the US assumes much more urgent...

Bullard argues the United States is taking an "unnecessary risk" accepting Canadian cattle "because there is a likelihood we are importing animals that well could be incubating the disease."

Gives thought to ponder...How many young Canadian cattle being shipped down here to be fed out and then slaughtered are in the final stages of incubation when they go to slaughter??

Maybe USDA needs to revisit the whole border rule and shut off all live imports- and alter the beef rule to UTM (under TWENTY month) like Japan, Europe, and many other countries have seemed to recognize...At least until there can be some profound testing of cattle of all ages in Canada and the extent of this disease and the spread of this potent contaminated feed can be reevaluated...

Is it worth the risk to the US cattle and beef industry
:???:
 

Murgen

Well-known member
Gives thought to ponder...How many young Canadian cattle being shipped down here to be fed out and then slaughtered are in the final stages of incubation when they go to slaughter??

They would have already been found with your extensive testing system. How many have already gone across the border in the last 5 years?

Your testing system protects the US consumer and your export markets, from any safety concerns!

Agree?
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Murgen said:
Gives thought to ponder...How many young Canadian cattle being shipped down here to be fed out and then slaughtered are in the final stages of incubation when they go to slaughter??

They would have already been found with your extensive testing system. How many have already gone across the border in the last 5 years?

Your testing system protects the US consumer and your export markets, from any safety concerns!

Agree?

Not if CFIA or USDA are not testing any/few Under Thirty Month cattle...

Now with young cattle manifesting the disease in Canada it changes the whole picture......
 

Tommy

Well-known member
Murgen...Including the American and Mexican Dairy producers!

The American Dairy producers I know like the border being closed to OTM cattle. Right now no dairy heifers for breeding or milk are being allowed in from Canada, it is slaughter only. Less milk on the market means higher prices for their milk.
 

Murgen

Well-known member
And they're getting their replacements from where? If they are burning out as fast as OT says, then they would not have enough!
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Murgen said:
And they're getting their replacements from where? If they are burning out as fast as OT says, then they would not have enough!

Actually from what I read the US dairy seedstock business is back up and running in the US again after almost going into nonexistence with everything coming down from Canada...It has made it worthwhile to go thru the work to raise those dairy calves.....

I know some of the DV video auctions I've watched- it appears there is again money in raising good dairy heifers...

Maybe some in the dairy areas know more about this.....
 

Tam

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
Gives thought to ponder...How many young Canadian cattle being shipped down here to be fed out and then slaughtered are in the final stages of incubation when they go to slaughter??

Maybe USDA needs to revisit the whole border rule and shut off all live imports- and alter the beef rule to UTM (under TWENTY month) like Japan, Europe, and many other countries have seemed to recognize...At least until there can be some profound testing of cattle of all ages in Canada and the extent of this disease and the spread of this potent contaminated feed can be reevaluated...

Is it worth the risk to the US cattle and beef industry
:???:

Quote from Leo
“we know if we are going to keep consumer confidence we are going to maintain some of the highest standards in the world to make sure that BSE is not introduced into this country. And we are going to make sure we have the best meat and bone meal ban in this country in place. So if for some reason we did find a case we can stand and look our consumers right in the eye and say, don’t worry we have had these firewalls in place for years, the only country prior to having a case of BSE to have these firewalls in place for so many years. And we did it to make sure if a case was ever found it was a non-issue. If we look them right in the eye and say that I will guarantee they will keep eating beef”.
Now tell us Oldtimer Leo claimed you had these firewalls but do you have any idea if these firewalls that the US has had for so many years the only country to have them prior to having a case of BSE are the firewalls that protect the US herd from YOUR STRAIN? As I seem to remember ours is the strain that is transmitted by MBM feed and yours has an unknown method of transmission. You are so distacted by Canadian BSE that you seem to have forgotten that according to Leo you are protected from the spread of our strain but the jury is still out on the protection from your strain. Wouldn't your time be better spent finding definitive answers to your strain? Finding and stopping your strains method of transmission is far more likely to be a benefit to your industries viability in the long term than stopping imports from Canada when we know what causes ours and you have firewalls to stop it in the US at least according to Leo you do. :wink:
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Tam said:
Oldtimer said:
Gives thought to ponder...How many young Canadian cattle being shipped down here to be fed out and then slaughtered are in the final stages of incubation when they go to slaughter??

Maybe USDA needs to revisit the whole border rule and shut off all live imports- and alter the beef rule to UTM (under TWENTY month) like Japan, Europe, and many other countries have seemed to recognize...At least until there can be some profound testing of cattle of all ages in Canada and the extent of this disease and the spread of this potent contaminated feed can be reevaluated...

Is it worth the risk to the US cattle and beef industry
:???:

Quote from Leo
“we know if we are going to keep consumer confidence we are going to maintain some of the highest standards in the world to make sure that BSE is not introduced into this country. And we are going to make sure we have the best meat and bone meal ban in this country in place. So if for some reason we did find a case we can stand and look our consumers right in the eye and say, don’t worry we have had these firewalls in place for years, the only country prior to having a case of BSE to have these firewalls in place for so many years. And we did it to make sure if a case was ever found it was a non-issue. If we look them right in the eye and say that I will guarantee they will keep eating beef”.
Now tell us Oldtimer Leo claimed you had these firewalls but do you have any idea if these firewalls that the US has had for so many years the only country to have them prior to having a case of BSE are the firewalls that protect the US herd from YOUR STRAIN? As I seem to remember ours is the strain that is transmitted by MBM feed and yours has an unknown method of transmission. You are so distacted by Canadian BSE that you seem to have forgotten that according to Leo you are protected from the spread of our strain but the jury is still out on the protection from your strain. Wouldn't your time be better spent finding definitive answers to your strain? Finding and stopping your strains method of transmission is far more likely to be a benefit to your industries viability in the long term than stopping imports from Canada when we know what causes ours and you have firewalls to stop it in the US at least according to Leo you do. :wink:

Tam- This new strain must not be much as the CFIA opened the border to all US cattle/beef AFTER it was discovered- they must know it is a no issue- they wouldn't endanger your herd, or you, just for the economic profits of opening trade--would they :???: ....

But we know your strain up there can be transmitted between animals by feed- and altho we have a good feedban, it is not perfect, and the USDA testified that the best firewall we have to protect producers and consumers is our BSE quarantine... The Canadian BSE is unarguably becoming more potent and more widespread instead of declining as it should have- Canada has admitted their feedban is defective altho the changes in it will not go into effect for a year :roll: ...And that it is showing up in younger and younger cattle (perilously close to the magic 30 month age)...And we know that Canada is/wants to send these cattle/beef into the US and allow beef from them that is unmarked as to origin be sold as US beef - and we have indications that this Canadian beef is already effecting confidence of both domestic and foreign markets.... This makes it a major concern of all US producers and consumers...
 

Sandhusker

Well-known member
Good God, Tam, you still refuse to acknowledge what Leo meant? You're really building credibility.

Tam, "Wouldn't your time be better spent finding definitive answers to your strain?"

I'm sure people are on it right now. How much time does it take to close the border? Instead of thinking of ways to purposefully misinterpret R-CALF, maybe your time would be better spend finding definitive answers to your post-ban cases.
 

Tam

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
Tam said:
Oldtimer said:
Gives thought to ponder...How many young Canadian cattle being shipped down here to be fed out and then slaughtered are in the final stages of incubation when they go to slaughter??

Maybe USDA needs to revisit the whole border rule and shut off all live imports- and alter the beef rule to UTM (under TWENTY month) like Japan, Europe, and many other countries have seemed to recognize...At least until there can be some profound testing of cattle of all ages in Canada and the extent of this disease and the spread of this potent contaminated feed can be reevaluated...

Is it worth the risk to the US cattle and beef industry
:???:

Quote from Leo
“we know if we are going to keep consumer confidence we are going to maintain some of the highest standards in the world to make sure that BSE is not introduced into this country. And we are going to make sure we have the best meat and bone meal ban in this country in place. So if for some reason we did find a case we can stand and look our consumers right in the eye and say, don’t worry we have had these firewalls in place for years, the only country prior to having a case of BSE to have these firewalls in place for so many years. And we did it to make sure if a case was ever found it was a non-issue. If we look them right in the eye and say that I will guarantee they will keep eating beef”.
Now tell us Oldtimer Leo claimed you had these firewalls but do you have any idea if these firewalls that the US has had for so many years the only country to have them prior to having a case of BSE are the firewalls that protect the US herd from YOUR STRAIN? As I seem to remember ours is the strain that is transmitted by MBM feed and yours has an unknown method of transmission. You are so distacted by Canadian BSE that you seem to have forgotten that according to Leo you are protected from the spread of our strain but the jury is still out on the protection from your strain. Wouldn't your time be better spent finding definitive answers to your strain? Finding and stopping your strains method of transmission is far more likely to be a benefit to your industries viability in the long term than stopping imports from Canada when we know what causes ours and you have firewalls to stop it in the US at least according to Leo you do. :wink:

Tam- This new strain must not be much as the CFIA opened the border to all US cattle/beef AFTER it was discovered- they must know it is a no issue- they wouldn't endanger your herd, or you, just for the economic profits of opening trade--would they :???: ....

But we know your strain up there can be transmitted between animals by feed- and altho we have a good feedban, it is not perfect, and the USDA testified that the best firewall we have to protect producers and consumers is our BSE quarantine... The Canadian BSE is unarguably becoming more potent and more widespread instead of declining as it should have- Canada has admitted their feedban is defective altho the changes in it will not go into effect for a year :roll: ...And that it is showing up in younger and younger cattle (perilously close to the magic 30 month age)...And we know that Canada is/wants to send these cattle/beef into the US and allow beef from them that is unmarked as to origin be sold as US beef - and we have indications that this Canadian beef is already effecting confidence of both domestic and foreign markets.... This makes it a major concern of all US producers and consumers...

It is just amazing what the CFIA will do to appease the Americans isn't it? Import your BSE infected cattle, and Anna and BLUE infected cattle without even testing them with the same test some states request of other states if they want their cattle to move over state lines. :roll: But I guess the reason not much was said about them openning to your BSE beef is because we have these firewalls in place ones that actually do prevent BSE from entering our food chain :wink: With the new rules that are being implemented now none of your infected cattle will make it into our feed system either. :wink: Don't you wish you could say that about your system Oldtimer. Can't take a change on importing our beef as your so called World Highest Standards aren't worth a tinkers Damn if they are not updated and enforced properly. :lol:

And if your feed ban is not perfect as you now claim it isn't, what was going to protect your herd from the spread of BSE when it was found in the US? Leo said you had these firewalls IN PLACE.
Oldtimer, Quarantining will only protect you from the BSE strains that other countries have, a strain of which you do have SOME protection from. How does it protect you from the strain that is floating around within your herd, the strain you know nothing about? :?

The fact that Canada is FINDING it proves we are LOOKING unlike the US. :shock:
As far as what we have in Canada, we have rules IN PLACE and more rules coming on line to further protect our herd. We can also say we are protecting our consumers as of all the cases we have had in CANADA NONE WERE PULLED FROM THE FOOD CHAIN. Can the US say that Oldtimer? And if your consumers were confident that your slaughter industry were following set protocol when processing all beef they would have no reason to be concerned about any beef. But since the US can't seem to get their act together when processing beef your consumer should show concern but not just for imported beef but US beef as well.

And SANDHUSKER maintain means "to carry on with" in everybody's dictionary but yours.

How will closing the border stop the spread of YOUR ATYPICAL STRAIN of BSE? And as far as definitive answers to our BSE the USDA are on that right now :wink: Even to the point that they probably quit looking for definisive answers to your ATYPICAL cases. Maybe you should get them back on your cases as those answers are going to be the ones that will stop the spread of your strain. :roll:
 

Silver

Well-known member
Good lord OT, you make me laugh. Suppose Canada had weaker safeguards like the US, and a dismal testing and safeguard system like the US.... therefore we didn't find anything (like the US). Then our cattle would be as safe as yours? Then it would be ok to resume trade? (Of course you would need cool, because the american consumer really really bases it's choices on cool, as evidenced by WalMart's success) lol. Don't bother trying to compare apples and oranges OT, you come off looking very foolish.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Tam said:
Oldtimer said:
Tam said:
Quote from Leo Now tell us Oldtimer Leo claimed you had these firewalls but do you have any idea if these firewalls that the US has had for so many years the only country to have them prior to having a case of BSE are the firewalls that protect the US herd from YOUR STRAIN? As I seem to remember ours is the strain that is transmitted by MBM feed and yours has an unknown method of transmission. You are so distacted by Canadian BSE that you seem to have forgotten that according to Leo you are protected from the spread of our strain but the jury is still out on the protection from your strain. Wouldn't your time be better spent finding definitive answers to your strain? Finding and stopping your strains method of transmission is far more likely to be a benefit to your industries viability in the long term than stopping imports from Canada when we know what causes ours and you have firewalls to stop it in the US at least according to Leo you do. :wink:

Tam- This new strain must not be much as the CFIA opened the border to all US cattle/beef AFTER it was discovered- they must know it is a no issue- they wouldn't endanger your herd, or you, just for the economic profits of opening trade--would they :???: ....

But we know your strain up there can be transmitted between animals by feed- and altho we have a good feedban, it is not perfect, and the USDA testified that the best firewall we have to protect producers and consumers is our BSE quarantine... The Canadian BSE is unarguably becoming more potent and more widespread instead of declining as it should have- Canada has admitted their feedban is defective altho the changes in it will not go into effect for a year :roll: ...And that it is showing up in younger and younger cattle (perilously close to the magic 30 month age)...And we know that Canada is/wants to send these cattle/beef into the US and allow beef from them that is unmarked as to origin be sold as US beef - and we have indications that this Canadian beef is already effecting confidence of both domestic and foreign markets.... This makes it a major concern of all US producers and consumers...

It is just amazing what the CFIA will do to appease the Americans isn't it? Import your BSE infected cattle, and Anna and BLUE infected cattle without even testing them with the same test some states request of other states if they want their cattle to move over state lines. :roll: But I guess the reason not much was said about them openning to your BSE beef is because we have these firewalls in place ones that actually do prevent BSE from entering our food chain :wink: With the new rules that are being implemented now none of your infected cattle will make it into our feed system either. :wink: Don't you wish you could say that about your system Oldtimer. Can't take a change on importing our beef as your so called World Highest Standards aren't worth a tinkers Damn if they are not updated and enforced properly. :lol:

And if your feed ban is not perfect as you now claim it isn't, what was going to protect your herd from the spread of BSE when it was found in the US? Leo said you had these firewalls IN PLACE.
Oldtimer, Quarantining will only protect you from the BSE strains that other countries have, a strain of which you do have SOME protection from. How does it protect you from the strain that is floating around within your herd, the strain you know nothing about? :?

The fact that Canada is FINDING it proves we are LOOKING unlike the US. :shock:
As far as what we have in Canada, we have rules IN PLACE and more rules coming on line to further protect our herd. We can also say we are protecting our consumers as of all the cases we have had in CANADA NONE WERE PULLED FROM THE FOOD CHAIN. Can the US say that Oldtimer? And if your consumers were confident that your slaughter industry were following set protocol when processing all beef they would have no reason to be concerned about any beef. But since the US can't seem to get their act together when processing beef your consumer should show concern but not just for imported beef but US beef as well.

And SANDHUSKER maintain means "to carry on with" in everybody's dictionary but yours.

How will closing the border stop the spread of YOUR ATYPICAL STRAIN of BSE? And as far as definitive answers to our BSE the USDA are on that right now :wink: Even to the point that they probably quit looking for definisive answers to your ATYPICAL cases. Maybe you should get them back on your cases as those answers are going to be the ones that will stop the spread of your strain. :roll:

Tam- Like Sandhusker said, I read where an international group is working on these new questions that have arisen with this atypical strain..

But Tam- Like you said they don't yet know how our strain (atypical) is transmitted- what if its thru the urine/or a STD? What good will your feedban do? How will the feedban protect your Canadian herd then? What if your neighbors new imported US cows pee across the fence toward yours :???:

I have a hard time seeing the reasoning for any country wanting to import live cattle from the US right now- especially breeding stock- until more is known of this strain... I guess with Canada its shirttail desperation-eh :???: But thats yours and your countries decision...

No this pretty well demonstrates that your CFIA like the USDA has no idea what they are doing and is operating off of and being influenced by economic science instead of any type of meaningful science.

Has your SSGA addressed this question with CFIA...Or don't Canadian producers care if they get and spread more disease thru their herd- or into the food chain :???:

As for me- I would prefer Canada keep everything from their herd (new potent strain of typical) until they get it eradicated from the herd....Feedbans are good- but not flawless as has been proven so far in Canada-- quarantine is best when playing with dangerous diseases- especially those that create a danger to humans.....
 

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