Texas Stops Canadian Cattle Moving to Mexico
TEXAS, US - Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Todd Staples, has issued an order to prevent specific Canadian cattle from passing through the state's export facilities into Mexico.
13 March 2008
2 minute read
| Todd Staples |
"I am deeply disappointed that Canada has signed a live cattle trading protocol with Mexico that is inconsistent with international standards," Commissioner Staples said. "The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) standards are paramount in ensuring trade decisions are based on sound science and not political science."
The Commissioner is concerned that Canada recently signed a live cattle protocol with Mexico that would allow the resumption of imports of certain Canadian dairy and beef cattle under 30 months of age - including breeding stock (see CA8008).
In May 2007, the OIE formally classified both the U.S. and Canada as “controlled risk” countries for BSE. Under that classification, it is generally anticipated that import countries allow imports from a broad range of beef (i.e., from older animals) and live cattle (i.e., older cattle) to be consistent with international standards.
The Commissioner has reportedly instructed Texas Department of Agriculture employees overseeing the agency's livestock export facilities along the Mexican border to not facilitate the trade of any Canadian cattle.
Currently, Mexico will only allow the importation of U.S. dairy heifers u nder the age of 24 months, despite in-depth international negotiations to broaden this to breeding stock.
Commissioner Staples is asking states that border Mexico to follow Texas' lead. "I call upon the owners and managers of all livestock export facilities along the U.S.-Mexico border to join me in this effort," Commissioner Staples said.
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