Funding will help Alberta beef industry adapt to enhanced feed ban
By The Canadian Press - For Business Edge
Published: 03/23/2007 - Vol. 7, No. 6
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Ottawa and the Alberta government are investing nearly $40 million in Alberta's beef industry to help accelerate the elimination of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) from Alberta's cattle herds.
The funding will help the province's cattle industry comply and adapt to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's enhanced feed ban, which takes effect on July 12.
The ban will see the removal of all specified risk material (SRM) - tissues that can harbour BSE - from all animal feeds, pet foods and fertilizers.
The $19.8-million federal contribution is part of $80 million to be spent on SRM removal programs nationwide.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) has closed a public comment period on resuming imports of older Canadian cattle. But it could be several months before officials make their final ruling.
The U.S. shut the border to Canadian cattle after the first of nine mad-cow cases was detected in Alberta in May 2003. It reopened in July 2005 for cows less than 30 months old thought to be at less risk of contracting the disease.
Canadian producers say resuming trade in older cows will give them an extra $450 million a year.
Protectionist rancher groups in the U.S. have fought to keep the border closed to Canadian beef, but have so far been overruled by Washington and the U.S. courts.
Web Watch: www.agric.gov.ab.ca/srm
By The Canadian Press - For Business Edge
Published: 03/23/2007 - Vol. 7, No. 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ottawa and the Alberta government are investing nearly $40 million in Alberta's beef industry to help accelerate the elimination of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) from Alberta's cattle herds.
The funding will help the province's cattle industry comply and adapt to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's enhanced feed ban, which takes effect on July 12.
The ban will see the removal of all specified risk material (SRM) - tissues that can harbour BSE - from all animal feeds, pet foods and fertilizers.
The $19.8-million federal contribution is part of $80 million to be spent on SRM removal programs nationwide.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) has closed a public comment period on resuming imports of older Canadian cattle. But it could be several months before officials make their final ruling.
The U.S. shut the border to Canadian cattle after the first of nine mad-cow cases was detected in Alberta in May 2003. It reopened in July 2005 for cows less than 30 months old thought to be at less risk of contracting the disease.
Canadian producers say resuming trade in older cows will give them an extra $450 million a year.
Protectionist rancher groups in the U.S. have fought to keep the border closed to Canadian beef, but have so far been overruled by Washington and the U.S. courts.
Web Watch: www.agric.gov.ab.ca/srm