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USCA: TDA Issues Order Stopping Canadian Cattle Not Consistent With Export Protocol
USCA (March 4, 2008) - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples has issued an order halting the passage of specific Canadian cattle through the state's export facilities into Mexico.
The action taken is the result of an agreement on live cattle trading protocols between Canada and Mexico, which allows the trade of certain dairy and beef cattle, including breeding stock.
The U.S. Cattlemen's Association (USCA) hailed the action as appropriate and encouraged all livestock export facilities along the U.S.-Mexico border to join Commissioner Staples in his effort.
"The live cattle trading protocol reached between Canada and Mexico is disappointing," said Chuck Kiker, USCA Director and Animal Health Committee Chairman, Beaumont, TX.
"Currently, Mexico only allows the importation of U.S. dairy heifers under the age of 24 months, despite negotiations to broaden this to other breeding stock. The U.S. Cattlemen's Association and the Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas (ICA) have worked to open the Mexican border to expanded breeding cattle from the U.S.," noted Kiker.
"Mexican officials insinuated that when the U.S. opened its borders to Canadian cattle over 30 months of age, Mexico would accept U.S. cattle over 30 months of age," continued Kiker. "Since the U.S. border reopened to Canadian cattle, Mexico has refused to accept U.S. cattle with the exception of younger dairy heifers. An even greater slap in the face is this idea that Mexico will lift its trade restrictions on certain Canadian cattle which will travel through the U.S. to Mexican destinations."
"Until Mexico recognizes OIE trade standards and begins accepting U.S. breeding cattle consistent with those standards, U.S. livestock export facilities should not be facilitating trade of Canadian cattle that are inconsistent with the protocol for exporting U.S. cattle to Mexico," continued Kiker.
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) manages five livestock export facilities on the border in Brownsville, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, El Paso and Laredo. Additionally, there are two privately owned livestock facilities in Texas and three other facilities in New Mexico and Arizona.
"The TDA has received word that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not approved the pact between Mexico and Canada," said Kiker. "However, if USDA allows these cattle to cross the Canadian border into the U.S., they will not move through the Texas Department of Agriculture's export facilities along the Mexican border."
USCA Director Emeritus Leo McDonnell said, "This exemplifies one of the greatest concerns U.S. cattlemen have had regarding countries with BSE such as Canada, and the lack of internationally harmonized trading practices. Too often, political science trumps the science concerning the health aspect and, as is often the case, the trading field is tilted away from U.S. producers. We applaud Texas' stand on the matter. After all, states are allowed to develop their own special rules concerning cattle coming into their states where there are health concerns. Why shouldn't states also have the same right with international trading partners where, often times, the health concerns are even greater."
Since December 2003, when a Canadian-born dairy cow located in the State of Washington was diagnosed with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), the U.S. has worked with international trading partners to harmonize international trade standards and reestablish beef and live cattle trade.
"Mexico is attempting to circumvent international trade standards," noted Kiker. "We're pleased that Commissioner Staples has taken this action and support his efforts. It is refreshing to have a Commissioner of Agriculture stand up for U.S. and Texas beef cattle producers and play hard ball with Mexico."
USCA (March 4, 2008) - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples has issued an order halting the passage of specific Canadian cattle through the state's export facilities into Mexico.
The action taken is the result of an agreement on live cattle trading protocols between Canada and Mexico, which allows the trade of certain dairy and beef cattle, including breeding stock.
The U.S. Cattlemen's Association (USCA) hailed the action as appropriate and encouraged all livestock export facilities along the U.S.-Mexico border to join Commissioner Staples in his effort.
"The live cattle trading protocol reached between Canada and Mexico is disappointing," said Chuck Kiker, USCA Director and Animal Health Committee Chairman, Beaumont, TX.
"Currently, Mexico only allows the importation of U.S. dairy heifers under the age of 24 months, despite negotiations to broaden this to other breeding stock. The U.S. Cattlemen's Association and the Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas (ICA) have worked to open the Mexican border to expanded breeding cattle from the U.S.," noted Kiker.
"Mexican officials insinuated that when the U.S. opened its borders to Canadian cattle over 30 months of age, Mexico would accept U.S. cattle over 30 months of age," continued Kiker. "Since the U.S. border reopened to Canadian cattle, Mexico has refused to accept U.S. cattle with the exception of younger dairy heifers. An even greater slap in the face is this idea that Mexico will lift its trade restrictions on certain Canadian cattle which will travel through the U.S. to Mexican destinations."
"Until Mexico recognizes OIE trade standards and begins accepting U.S. breeding cattle consistent with those standards, U.S. livestock export facilities should not be facilitating trade of Canadian cattle that are inconsistent with the protocol for exporting U.S. cattle to Mexico," continued Kiker.
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) manages five livestock export facilities on the border in Brownsville, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, El Paso and Laredo. Additionally, there are two privately owned livestock facilities in Texas and three other facilities in New Mexico and Arizona.
"The TDA has received word that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not approved the pact between Mexico and Canada," said Kiker. "However, if USDA allows these cattle to cross the Canadian border into the U.S., they will not move through the Texas Department of Agriculture's export facilities along the Mexican border."
USCA Director Emeritus Leo McDonnell said, "This exemplifies one of the greatest concerns U.S. cattlemen have had regarding countries with BSE such as Canada, and the lack of internationally harmonized trading practices. Too often, political science trumps the science concerning the health aspect and, as is often the case, the trading field is tilted away from U.S. producers. We applaud Texas' stand on the matter. After all, states are allowed to develop their own special rules concerning cattle coming into their states where there are health concerns. Why shouldn't states also have the same right with international trading partners where, often times, the health concerns are even greater."
Since December 2003, when a Canadian-born dairy cow located in the State of Washington was diagnosed with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), the U.S. has worked with international trading partners to harmonize international trade standards and reestablish beef and live cattle trade.
"Mexico is attempting to circumvent international trade standards," noted Kiker. "We're pleased that Commissioner Staples has taken this action and support his efforts. It is refreshing to have a Commissioner of Agriculture stand up for U.S. and Texas beef cattle producers and play hard ball with Mexico."
