| 11/6/2003 Senate Says Too Soon to Let in Canadian Cows - 11/6 Reuters The Senate passed a nonbinding resolution calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to delay reopening the border to cattle under 30 months old, which are thought to be at lower risk for bovine spongiform encephalopathy. On Oct. 31, USDA floated a proposal to relax the current ban on all cattle imports from Canada. A nonbinding resolution reflects the views of the Senate and has no legislative effect. The resolution was passed by a voice vote. USDA spokeswoman Julie Quick noted the agency is now in a 60-day period during which the public can comment on the proposal. After that, USDA would examine the comments and decide whether to actually allow some Canadian cattle to enter the United States. Relaxing the trade ban "could be a devastating risk to our livestock industry," said Sen. Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat, during a speech on the Senate floor. Dorgan noted international protocols that call for restraining trade for up to seven years for countries that have mad cow disease. On May 20, Canada confirmed that one Alberta cow, which was slaughtered in January, had mad cow disease. The disease has been widespread in Europe and has been linked to about 130 human deaths, mostly in Europe. The United States has never recorded a case of mad cow disease. But the cattle industry fears that an outbreak could result in billions of dollars of losses. In recently announcing the first formal step toward reopening the border to Canadian cattle, USDA Undersecretary Bill Hawks said he was "satisfied this was an isolated case" in Canada and that measures were in place to prevent spread of mad cow disease. Japan, a major importer of American beef, has expressed concerns about the possible flow of Canadian cattle through the United States. Earlier this year, USDA held off reopening the U.S. border to some Canadian beef because of similar concerns from Japan. An outbreak of mad cow disease in Japan, beginning in 2001, resulted in falling consumption, which has just recently reversed itself. © Reuters 2003. All Rights Reserved. Related Link: http://www.reuters.com |
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