Statement of the American Meat Institute On Proposed Rule to Allow Canadian Cattle Under 30 Months of Age Into United States

(Attribute Statement to AMI President J. Patrick Boyle)

The U.S. meat industry is gratified that USDA has taken another step toward full restoration of trade in cattle, beef and other products with Canada. We are confident that the Canadian government has taken the necessary steps to assure that animal health is protected and that meat products are safe.

Harvard’s risk reassessment affirms that the risk of BSE being introduced into U.S. herds is extremely low and that strategies are in place to contain the spread rapidly in the unlikely event that the disease were to occur in the U.S.

We are reviewing the details of the proposal and will provide comments. We urge USDA to move forward with the rulemaking process expeditiously.