Mad Cow-Hit U.S. Wants World to Buy Its Beef Now

[Theophylact]

That was then; this is now.

In the past, nations could expect lengthy cut-offs in trade once mad cow disease was discovered.

When Canada announced its first case in a decade last May, the United States blocked all trade in Canadian beef and beef products until Aug. 8, when it said boneless beef from cattle under the age of 30 months would be accepted, along with boneless veal from calves, cattle livers and pet products.

Still pending is a U.S. decision whether to allow import of cattle from Canada, which used to ship 1 million head a year for slaughter at U.S. plants. The United States is Canada's largest beef export market.

[snip]

U.S. officials acknowledge they are asking for more flexibility from trading partners than the United States showed in the past. They say international standards have evolved as scientists learn more about BSE and how to control it.

"So, in fact, while we may have been part of the problem in the past, we have taken a very active role in terms of trying to change that standard," said Ron DeHaven, USDA's chief veterinary officer, during a news conference on Wednesday.

[brandon184]

That's a shame.

[Toadman]

Still pending is a U.S. decision whether to allow import of cattle from Canada, which used to ship 1 million head a year for slaughter at U.S. plants.

So just where did the infected bovine come from?

[tmx468]

Nothing new then... US does one thing and seriously affects another's economy, but when it is the one under threat....

And, like a bully, I hope it loses its battle

[Beemer]

Although it is an isolated incident, we should hold back all purchases for a good long time just to make sure the decease doesn't spread back to us.

It could only help our dollar in the long run. Now at $0.77 US

Hey! USDA! It's backfiring. Isn't it! lol

Cheers!

[trueman]

Its certainly boosted the Australian beef industry. Our beef and live cattle exports are booming at the moment.
We have the best beef in the world.

And our dollar is around 77 cents US also, the highest its been in years.

[tony_j15]

I find it ironic. USA stops beef trade from Canada. People scream that it is unfair to Canadians. Guess where this mad cow came from? CANADA!

[Creatures]

hehe we had it here in europe now you got it, and as usual everyone say it's the other ones fault (we had this here too) i think best would be to get this diseas under control!

Creatures

[brandon184]

I find it ironic. USA stops beef trade from Canada. People scream that it is unfair to Canadians. Guess where this mad cow came from? CANADA!

That's not irony. What's ironic is the U.S. placing their ban meanwhile having "downer" animals of their own that are infected with the same disease that they punish Canada for having (and dealing with more than appropriately...)

I love how it's just "a" mad cow... A little common sense dictates that there's more than likely thousands of BSE-infected cows within the U.S.A... I guarantee you that "CANADA" isn't to blame for the vast majority of those infections.

The USDA claimed themselves that the cow was born PRIOR to North American (Not Canadian) regulations prohibiting cows being fed processed animal parts.. Even after that, there was controversy over whether or not most American cattle farmers were even FOLLOWING those regulations.

[Creatures]

yeah we still have a lot of BSE cows here, but the number goes back every year they say (i hope so)

Creatures