AMI Disappointed with Ruling, Will Fight For Full Restoration of Beef and Cattle Trade with Canada

The following statement should be attributed to J. Patrick Boyle, president and CEO, American Meat Institute.

"We are very disappointed with Judge Cebull’s decision today because we believe that Canadian beef is as safe and wholesome as beef produced in this country. In fact, because there is no legal or scientific reason to justify the continued ban on importing Canadian beef and cattle, we believe its enforcement is arbitrary and capricious and will ultimately be struck down by the courts.

The prolonged border closure with Canada is not only causing long term structural damage to the meat industry in the U.S., but has hurt many hardworking American families who earn their living processing Canadian cattle and beef products. While a handful of producers in the upper Midwest will continue to see an economic windfall from this ban, thousands of Americans, and the cause of free and fair trade, will suffer as long as this ban continues.

We will review the judge’s written decision tomorrow and provide further comment. AMI continues to await a ruling from U.S. District Court Judge John Garrett Penn regarding its lawsuit seeking full restoration of trade in cattle and beef products with Canada. The Montana ruling has no legal impact on AMI’s case."