World Sheep & Wool Congress

June 25, 2004 -- As we reported last week, the World Sheep and Wool Congress opens in less than a month. The Congress runs from Sunday, July 18 through Saturday, July 24.

A crucial question producers are currently asking is whether they can transport sheep into Canada for the Congress, then bring them back into the United States after the event. The most recent information the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) has received from USDA?s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is that Canada will allow sheep into the country for the show and sale. However, those sheep will not be allowed to re-enter the United States since the border from Canada into the United States is currently closed to live ruminants.

In further clarification, it was specified that embryos are treated in the same respect as live animals and will not be allowed back into the United States from Canada. Semen, however, is transportable across the border.

?Producers should not assume that there will be any change to the current policy by July,? stated ASI Deputy Director of Policy and Animal Health Paul Rodgers.

Staff contact: Paul Rodgers, 303-771-3500

<< Back