01/05/05 Reopening Canada, Part two

Canada's most recent case of b.s.e., its third overall and second within the span of two years, was confirmed this past weekend. And the announcement came at a most conspicuous time & just days after the U.S. announced it would reopen its border to Canadian live cattle and some beef products. Those products have been banned since May 2003 when the second of the three Canadian b.s.e. cases was confirmed. Jim Rogers of U.S.D.A.'s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service was among a group of U.S. government officials who has echoed over the last week that even if Canada had another b.s.e. confirmation, it would not affect U.S.D.A.'s final rule to reopen the border. And Rogers explains why. ROGERS: We did an extensive risk analysis of their country, of how they handled inconclusives, and the two positives I believe that they've had in the past. And what we have determined is that their system is good enough to qualify as a minimal risk country, and therefore, we will trade with them under certain conditions. But there are some cattle and ag groups who have their own feelings on the matter. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association is still studying whether or not the decision is based on sound science. But its President-elect Jim McAdams believes that the economic impacts long term will be beneficial to the U.S., especially in reopening export markets to American beef. MCADAMS: Decisions on international trade need to be based on sound science and we're willing to adhere to the sound science. We're confident in our processes, and we're confident that the U.S.D.A. has done the due diligence to assure the other countries that send product to us maintain the firewalls in place to assure that their product is safe as well. However, other groups such as the National Farmers Union and R-C.A.L.F. U.S.A. argue that sound science is no where to be found with the final rule. And Bill Bullard of R-C.A.L.F. U.S.A. adds the reputation of U.S. beef, and its ability to regain markets, will be hampered as a result of the final rule. BULLARD: What we are doing is effectively becoming the dumping ground of products that thirty beef export customers deem to be unacceptable We are allowing products into the United States that our own export customers will not accept, and that is going to devalue the U.S. cattle industry. More on the potential economic impacts in reopening the U.S. border to Canadian live cattle and beef comes your way in our next program.