Producers Pleased Mexican Cattle Imports Postponed
Newswire Services
(Billings, Mont.) R-CALF USA always has maintained the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) should keep domestic import standards high to prevent the introduction of foreign animal diseases (FADs), and this organizational philosophy also includes the prevention of potential introduction of foreign parasites.
R-CALF applauds USDA for heeding advice from the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) that recommended standards should not be relaxed in regard to imports of Mexican cattle from areas of Mexico infested with fever ticks, said R-CALF USA President This will help keep fever ticks from encroaching any farther into Texas than the border area already affected.
USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) had proposed to eliminate the prohibition on entry of Mexican cattle exposed to or infested with fever ticks, or exposed to tick-borne diseases, into areas of Texas that had been quarantined due to fever tick problems. In January, R-CALF USA asked USDA to withdraw the proposed rule and to conduct a full risk/cost analysis of the proposed rule before any further weakening of cattle import standards from fever tick-infested areas in Mexico was considered. R-CALF USA also expressed concern that that lowering U.S. import standards under present circumstances could jeopardize the health of the U.S. cattle herd and negatively affect the U.S. cattle industry.
Recently, R-CALF received a letter from USDA indicating that APHIS was indeed withdrawing its proposed rule on this matter, and that the agency would initiate a risk assessment before deciding what future regulatory action to take, R-CALF is pleased with the decision and agrees that more needs to be known about importing at-risk cattle from Mexico. We also appreciate USDAs decision in this regard to protect the herd health of the U.S. cattle industry, and look forward to working with USDA on other matters related to cattle health.
R-CALF was very pleased to learn that APHIS agreed with Dr. Hillmans recommendation and chose to stop any further action on this matter pending a more thorough review of potential risksMembers of the Independent Cattlemens Association of Texas (ICA), an R-CALF affiliate organization, also were pleased to learn of USDAs decision to hold off on Mexican cattle imports.
The fever tick infestation continues to create problems for ranchers in that area, noted ICA Executive Director Bill Hyman. We were proud to stand up with the Texas Animal Health Commission to protect the health of our cattle in South Texas.
:roll: :shock: :roll: 