USDA Begins Issuing Canadian Beef Permits

USDA Begins Issuing Canadian Beef Permits

Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced on Monday, Aug. 25, during a teleconference that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects to begin issuing permits this week to allow some Canadian beef into the United States.

?As you know, on August 8th we announced that we would begin issuing permits to allow game products and low-risk beef products to be imported from Canada. That permitting process is underway, and we expect to begin issuing permits this week. Once those imports begin we will closely monitor the process,? stated Veneman.

?We are also developing a rule to address the importation of cattle under 30 months of age and other low-risk products. In addition, we are beginning the longer term work on a rule to reestablish more normalized trade of beef and beef products. Following our August 8th announcement, Mexico also reestablished trade with Canada on a basis similar to that which the U.S. did, and other countries have also announced that they are allowing resumption of Canadian beef imports,? continued Veneman.

The permit process in place also allows for boneless sheep or goat meat from animals less than 12 months of age to be imported into the United States.

Staff contact: Paul Rodgers, 304-647-9981

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