BSE Notfiable Diseases Health & Disease

Canada mad cow may slow US beef import plans: analysts

CHICAGO - The latest mad cow case in Canada, that country's ninth, could slow plans by the U.S. Agriculture Department to increase the age of imported beef and cattle from that country, U.S. analysts said on Thursday.

8 February 2007

1 minute read

North America

Analysts doubt there will be much other reaction from U.S. consumers or from U.S. cattle markets to Canada's announcement on Wednesday that a mature bull in Alberta tested positive for the fatal brain disease. No meat from the animal entered the food chain.

"It could certainly cause USDA to stop the plan to import cattle up to 8 years old," said Rich Nelson, analyst with Allendale Inc.

USDA has proposed allowing the import of Canadian beef and cattle born on or after March 1, 1999. Currently, such imports are limited to animals and beef from animals under 30 months of age.

Source: Reuters