NCBA Update on 11-Point Directive on Reopening the Canadian Border to Live Cattle
At the Cattle Industry's Annual Convention in San Antonio, NCBA members passed an 11-point directive on the reopening of the Canadian border to live cattle. Accomplishing all 11 points is top priority for NCBA. Our volunteer leaders have made numerous visits to Washington D.C. since early February, we have dedicated three full-time staffers in our Washington, D.C. office as well as additional staff in the Denver office to work tirelessly on this directive. NCBA is aware of the importance of this issue. In an effort to keep all members up to date on the progress of this directive, we will be providing an update on each of the 11 points through Member eUpdates. Please look for future pieces to follow in subsequent eUpdates until all 11 points have been addressed.
Point 10: USDA must work with our primary trading partners to ensure that expanded export access for U.S. beef is not in any way jeopardized by expanded importation of cattle and beef from Canada.
Status: No countries have indicated that the U.S. decision to expand trade with Canada, as defined by the March 7 rule, would negatively affect U.S. export opportunities. The U.S. has received assurances that minimal risk status for Canada won't negatively affect our ability to regain access to export markets.
Analysis: Press interviews with Japanese officials revealed this: "When R-CALF points to the risk of Canadian beef, you are increasing Japanese consumers' anxiety for U.S. beef, because we believe the risk of beef from both countries is similar. And if you point to the risk of Canadian cattle, you are ignoring the function of removing SRMs (specified risk materials) as the internationally accepted food safety measure and are also increasing Japanese consumers' anxiety for U.S. beef." For example Hong Kong have chosen to accept Canadian beef but not U.S. beef.
Bottom Line: This directive is currently being met. NCBA is continuing to closely monitor negotiations with all U.S. beef trading partners and will respond if any changes occur based on this point of the directive.
At the Cattle Industry's Annual Convention in San Antonio, NCBA members passed an 11-point directive on the reopening of the Canadian border to live cattle. Accomplishing all 11 points is top priority for NCBA. Our volunteer leaders have made numerous visits to Washington D.C. since early February, we have dedicated three full-time staffers in our Washington, D.C. office as well as additional staff in the Denver office to work tirelessly on this directive. NCBA is aware of the importance of this issue. In an effort to keep all members up to date on the progress of this directive, we will be providing an update on each of the 11 points through Member eUpdates. Please look for future pieces to follow in subsequent eUpdates until all 11 points have been addressed.
Point 10: USDA must work with our primary trading partners to ensure that expanded export access for U.S. beef is not in any way jeopardized by expanded importation of cattle and beef from Canada.
Status: No countries have indicated that the U.S. decision to expand trade with Canada, as defined by the March 7 rule, would negatively affect U.S. export opportunities. The U.S. has received assurances that minimal risk status for Canada won't negatively affect our ability to regain access to export markets.
Analysis: Press interviews with Japanese officials revealed this: "When R-CALF points to the risk of Canadian beef, you are increasing Japanese consumers' anxiety for U.S. beef, because we believe the risk of beef from both countries is similar. And if you point to the risk of Canadian cattle, you are ignoring the function of removing SRMs (specified risk materials) as the internationally accepted food safety measure and are also increasing Japanese consumers' anxiety for U.S. beef." For example Hong Kong have chosen to accept Canadian beef but not U.S. beef.
Bottom Line: This directive is currently being met. NCBA is continuing to closely monitor negotiations with all U.S. beef trading partners and will respond if any changes occur based on this point of the directive.
