USDA asks court to act on Canadian trade ruling

WASHINGTON – The USDA is hoping an appeals court will reopen the U.S.-Canadian border to trade in beef products and cattle.
The U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the USDA, filed an appeal March 17 with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a decision issued by the U.S. District Court in Montana.
The lower court granted a preliminary injunction to delay the implementation of USDA’s minimal-risk regions rule, which would re-establish trade with Canada for beef products and live cattle under 30 months of age.
U.S. Ag Secretary Mike Johanns said he is confident the requirements of the minimal-risk rule, in combination with measures already in place, protect both U.S. consumers and livestock.
“We also remain fully confident in the underlying risk assessment, developed in accordance with the OIE guidelines, which determined Canada to be a minimal-risk region,” Johanns added.