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USDA reopens comment period on allowing Canadian cattle into the US

Also included is beef from cattle older than 30 months

Reprinted with permission of Jamie Lane, Editor, Western Livestock Reporter

On March 8, 2004, USDA published in the Federal Register, a notice saying that comments would once again be accepted relative to re-opening the US border to live cattle from Canada. This rule was initially published in November of last year with the comment period ending January 5, 2004. However, because of the imported Canadian cow testing positive for BSE in Washington in late December, USDA is once again seeking comments on the topic. Essentially the rule is seeking to create a new category of BSE risk for countries and classify Canada as eligible to ship live ruminants to the U.S.

In addition, USDA is also proposing and thus requesting comments on, accepting beef and beef products from Canada derived from cattle older than 30 months of age.

From www.usda.gov:
Notice of the extension is scheduled for publication in the March 8, Federal Register. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before April 7. Comments may be submitted by postal mail, commercial delivery or e-mail. Send an original and three copies of postal mail or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. 03-080-2, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20730-1238. If you use e-mail, address your comments to regulations@aphis.usda.gov. Comments must be contained in the body of the message; do not send attached files. Please include your name and address in the message and use "Docket No. 03-080-2 on the subject line.

Comments may be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to review comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

Also, APHIS has prepared an explanatory note that discusses the detection of BSE in an imported Canadian cow in Washington state and its effect on the risk analysis that was conducted for the proposed rule. Both the original analysis and the explanatory note may be viewed on the APHIS Web site at www.aphis.usda.gov.