BSE Ban Partially Lifted
‘A Good Start, But it Doesn’t Solve Problem’
The U.S. government announced on Friday that they will partially lift a ban on Canadian beef by accepting cuts of Canadian beef from cattle under 30 months of age.
The U.S. will begin accepting applications for import permits for the boneless bovine meat from cattle under 30 months of age; boneless veal (meat) from calves that were 36 weeks of age or younger at slaughter; fresh or frozen bovine liver; boneless sheep or goat meat from animals under 12 months of age; vaccines for veterinary medicine for non-ruminant use; pet products and feed ingredients that contain processed animal protein and tallow of non-ruminant sources when produced in facilities with dedicated manufacturing lines.

Local rancher Wyett Swanson told The News on August 11 that this is “a good start, but it doesn’t solve the problem.”

Swanson, whose operation is just east and north of town says that locally the partial ban lifting means that 40 percent of processed meats can move—but 60 percent can’t.

Swanson has been selling only one load of cattle per week after the mad cow disease was discovered but he was only receiving 50 percent value of the cattle compared to what he had been selling before the scare. With a government subsidy though he was getting 75 percent value—meaning he lost 25 percent of the value of each head sold. Over the last five weeks the price has dropped further so Swanson has been receiving only one third of the value of the cattle. Consequently when he sells a load of cattle, he takes a loss of $20,000 taking into account the government subsidy.