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National Farmers Union Calls on Congress to Rescind Canadian

HAY MAKER

Well-known member
National Farmers Union Calls on Congress to Rescind Canadian Border Rule

Washington--The National Farmers Union board of directors, meeting in Washington, D.C. this week, sent a letter to members of Congress on Sept 20 urging lawmakers to rescind the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) final rule to expand cattle and beef trade.


The rule was published in the Federal Register Sept. 18, giving Congress 60 days to review.


The rule would expand beef and cattle trade with Canada, by allowing the importation of additional live animals and beef products from any aged animal.


This rule comes despite the fact that Canada has nine confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and four of the nine cases were in an animal born after March 1, 1999.


The proposed rule would allow live animals born after this date into the United States.


"Until Canada can demonstrate its BSE problem is under control, NFU contends it is premature to expand beef and cattle trade," the NFU board said.


The board urged that the following measures be addressed prior to expanding Canadian beef and cattle trade.


• Canada can prove and verify their cattle herd and beef products are BSE-free.


• Canada can prove and verify 100 percent compliance with the ruminant feed ban U.S. international beef export markets are firmly reestablished.


• Mandatory country-of-origin labeling is fully implemented.


• Rapid-test technology is provided to all domestic slaughtering facilities to provide stability to the cattle market, and another layer of confidence for the American consuming public.


• A guaranteed economic safety net for American producers if the importation of cattle and beef products from BSE-positive countries negatively impacts domestic profitability.


The letter said, "National Farmers Union believes American producers and consumers deserve better."


for more information, call Liz Friedlander at 202-314-3191.
 

PORKER

Well-known member
Canada can prove and verify 100 percent compliance with the ruminant feed ban by tying every RFID tagged number to the animals feed record.
 

PORKER

Well-known member
SEN. SMITH FIGHTS TO PROTECT OREGON CATTLE

US Fed News

WASHINGTON


The office of Sen. Gordon H. Smith, R-Ore., issued the following news release:

U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) is calling on the USDA to suspend a rule allowing live Canadian cattle to cross the border. The rule could put Oregon cattle at the risk of being exposed to Canadian Mad Cow disease. Senator Smith is concerned about the recent outbreaks of Mad Cow disease in Canada compromising Oregon beef.

"Mad Cow disease in Canadian cattle jeopardizes the health of Oregon cattle," said Smith. "I am urging the U.S Department of Agriculture to close the border until Canada resolves their problems with Mad Cow disease. Oregon cattlemen deserve better protection. Federally mandated rules should not negatively impact the cattle industry."

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency there have been ten confirmed cases of Mad Cow disease found in Canada since May 2003, six cases since February 2006, the latest case discovered this May. Given Canada's failure to clean up their Mad Cow disease problems, Senator Smith fears opening the border will pose a significant threat to the health of Oregon cattle.

The Office of Management and Budget has begun its review of the new USDA rule. If enacted, the rule is expected to open the U.S.-Canadian border to any cattle born after March 1, 1999. Senator Smith is working to protect the interest of Oregon cattlemen by asking the USDA to amend the rule before the final rule is implemented by November or December of this year.

Contact: Lindsay Jackson, 202/224-3753.

September 21, 2007
 

PORKER

Well-known member
Bovine TB found in Vanderhoof It is a bull that was bred in Alberta,(0) [Back]< Prev | Next >
(News) Friday, 09 November 2007, 03:00 PST
FRANK PEEBLES Citizen staff
A rare case of bovine tuberculosis has surfaced in Vanderhoof.

At least six B.C. ranches, including one in Vanderhoof and one in Prince George, have been quarantined. More than 20 more in Alberta have also been locked down by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as it traces every place the animal has ever been.

"It is a bull that was bred in Alberta, lived for a time on a ranch in Vanderhoof and was sold by that rancher on about Aug. 8 this year at a sale in Innisfail, Alta.," said Vanderhoof rancher Roland Baumann, vice-president of the B.C. Cattlemen's Association.

He said this is the first case of TB to come up in cattle in the province since he moved here in 1992. It is rare across Canada due to decades of vigorous eradication practices by the beef industry and various levels of government.

"It seemed we had it eradicated then this one popped up," Baumann said. "I think the CFIA is doing a great job tracking down the source. They are just doing their work, it takes a while, and the industry is not all that concerned."

That could change if more cases are detected. Quarantines are strict and the federal government also kills all domestic animals believed to be susceptible. Entire herds could be put down if the disease is widespread. There is also a threat to wildlife.

"Bovine TB can be transmitted from cattle to other farm animals, bison, and all of the deer species under certain conditions," said a CFIA statement on the disease. "Cattle are the usual host for this bacteria, but transmission can occur between wild deer (including elk)."

The CFIA said Bovine TB is transmitted through the air by breathing the bacteria out of an infected animal onto other objects. Common feeding and watering areas are common transmission areas.

Foreign markets do not halt the sale of meat from a given TB case area unless it is a significant outbreak. Although precautions are taken by the beef industry to protect consumers (it was at slaughter that this case of TB was discovered through routine testing, The Citizen has learned), it is not thought to be a significant health risk for humans.

"People are getting nervous around here only because it is time to sell calves and a lot of our livestock, but nobody knows if the quarantines will be increased," said Baumann. "If they are, then you might need a whole lot more feed, which is expensive if you have to hang onto a lot of animals for a long time."

The Citizen made inquiries to CFIA for details on this case, but no statements were made. Of concern is the length of time since the case of TB was detected and the official public announcement. Specifically, there has been no official word to the general public at all and The Citizen learned of it only through contacts that believed the TB was discovered "a few weeks ago." Prince George-Omineca MLA John Rustad learned of it on Wednesday. Although he was displeased with the lack of consultation from the federal level, he was relieved to learn that tests so far have found no other cases.

"I'm looking forward to being back up in the riding, I plan to be in Vanderhoof Saturday and I want to meet with the ranchers then and find out more about this from them," he said. "It is impressive the tracking system they have in place. It speaks well of the food safety system we have in Canada. The bottom line is safety for consumers and the steps taken on this issue was not a small feat; it is nice to see."

The name of the ranchers under quarantine have not been disclosed.
 

Big Muddy rancher

Well-known member
PORKER said:
SEN. SMITH FIGHTS TO PROTECT OREGON CATTLE

US Fed News

WASHINGTON


The office of Sen. Gordon H. Smith, R-Ore., issued the following news release:

U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) is calling on the USDA to suspend a rule allowing live Canadian cattle to cross the border. The rule could put Oregon cattle at the risk of being exposed to Canadian Mad Cow disease. Senator Smith is concerned about the recent outbreaks of Mad Cow disease in Canada compromising Oregon beef.

"Mad Cow disease in Canadian cattle jeopardizes the health of Oregon cattle," said Smith. "I am urging the U.S Department of Agriculture to close the border until Canada resolves their problems with Mad Cow disease. Oregon cattlemen deserve better protection. Federally mandated rules should not negatively impact the cattle industry."

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency there have been ten confirmed cases of Mad Cow disease found in Canada since May 2003, six cases since February 2006, the latest case discovered this May. Given Canada's failure to clean up their Mad Cow disease problems, Senator Smith fears opening the border will pose a significant threat to the health of Oregon cattle.

The Office of Management and Budget has begun its review of the new USDA rule. If enacted, the rule is expected to open the U.S.-Canadian border to any cattle born after March 1, 1999. Senator Smith is working to protect the interest of Oregon cattlemen by asking the USDA to amend the rule before the final rule is implemented by November or December of this year.

Contact: Lindsay Jackson, 202/224-3753.

September 21, 2007


Isn't that SPECIAL. We have our own version of "Mad Cow" :roll:
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Big Muddy rancher said:
PORKER said:
SEN. SMITH FIGHTS TO PROTECT OREGON CATTLE

US Fed News

WASHINGTON


The office of Sen. Gordon H. Smith, R-Ore., issued the following news release:

U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) is calling on the USDA to suspend a rule allowing live Canadian cattle to cross the border. The rule could put Oregon cattle at the risk of being exposed to Canadian Mad Cow disease. Senator Smith is concerned about the recent outbreaks of Mad Cow disease in Canada compromising Oregon beef.

"Mad Cow disease in Canadian cattle jeopardizes the health of Oregon cattle," said Smith. "I am urging the U.S Department of Agriculture to close the border until Canada resolves their problems with Mad Cow disease. Oregon cattlemen deserve better protection. Federally mandated rules should not negatively impact the cattle industry."

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency there have been ten confirmed cases of Mad Cow disease found in Canada since May 2003, six cases since February 2006, the latest case discovered this May. Given Canada's failure to clean up their Mad Cow disease problems, Senator Smith fears opening the border will pose a significant threat to the health of Oregon cattle.

The Office of Management and Budget has begun its review of the new USDA rule. If enacted, the rule is expected to open the U.S.-Canadian border to any cattle born after March 1, 1999. Senator Smith is working to protect the interest of Oregon cattlemen by asking the USDA to amend the rule before the final rule is implemented by November or December of this year.

Contact: Lindsay Jackson, 202/224-3753.

September 21, 2007


Isn't that SPECIAL. We have our own version of "Mad Cow" :roll:

Yep-- I was watching a quiz show last night-- and one of the questions was "What is the other name for the disease found in Canadian cattle known as Bovine spongiform encephalopathy"

He started to answer foot and mouth disease- but caught himself and answered Mad Cow....

Canadian beef is finally getting an individual identity :wink: :lol:
 

PPRM

Well-known member
Hmmmm...Well, Senator, BSE from Washington Beef could affect Oregon Beef as well.......

I am concerned about a lot of Food Safety Issues. Senator Smith Should be the most knowledgable on the matter. He Personally brought the Family Business, Smith Frozen Foods, nack to a viable operation. He is a good and decent man, I just thik he doesn't recognize the Irony. The US Cow was found 40 miles from the entry into Oregon, but his concern is more like 600 miles away,

PPRM
 
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