The group sent a formal letter to Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns March 12. Authors of the letter to USDA were: Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-Iowa; Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash; Rep. Randy Kuhl, R-N.Y.; Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif.; Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo.; Rep. John McHugh, R-N.Y.; Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif; Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla.; Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash.; Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick, D-Mich.; Rep. Dennis Rehberg, R-Mont.; Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C.; Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif.

The letter stated in part that if Canadian cattle born on or after March 1, 1999, are allowed to reside in the U.S., then "any of those cattle later testing positive for BSE would have severely detrimental effects on our cattle and dairy industries within the United States...

"We must ensure that we protect the United States food supply and continue to give safety assurances to our trading partners," the letter continued. "We are concerned about the potential implications this change may have. We therefore urge the USDA to not finalize the proposed regulations allowing importation of cattle from Canada for breeding or herd replacement purposes, and that a thorough re-evaluation be conducted."

Also, Rep. Stephanie Herseth, D-S.D., had requested - as had R-CALF USA and others - that the comment period on this proposed rule be extended for 60 days, but USDA granted none of those requests, keeping the March 12 deadline for public comments intact.

Source: North Texas e-News