7/24/2006 11:10:00 AM
NDSA: U.S. Should Not Import Older Canadian Cattle Yet
At its quarterly meeting in Mandan, N.D., on July 19, the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association’s (NDSA) Board of Directors reiterated the organization’s stance against importing Canadian cattle 30 months old and older to the United States – at least until a well-designed and regulated tracking system is put in place to assure no market disruption and any disease traced back to such imports becomes the responsibility and liability of the country of origin.
NDSA members initiated and passed a resolution, “Canadian Cattle Imports,” calling for those changes at the NDSA Annual Convention in Bismarck, N.D., in September 2005 in anticipation that Canada would request to broaden its U.S. export options.
“The policy we passed last year still holds true today,” said NDSA President Melvin Leland, a McKenzie County cattleman. “These safeguards are vital in order to protect our domestic market and to help re-establish business with other beef trading partners. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association has always supported fair trade, and this policy reflects that philosophy.”
The NDSA will spell out its concerns to USDA once a final rule is published in the Federal Register and a formal comment period is established.