Prince Edward Island’s agriculture minister is commending the federal government for helping to secure the re-opening of the United States border to live cattle and certain other meat products. Kevin MacAdam said that federal agriculture minister Andy Mitchell and officials with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency worked hard and diligently to help resolve issues relating to the BSE issue which has devastated the Canadian livestock industry.
“I want to commend Mr. Mitchell and the federal government for the many initiatives they have taken to assure the United States that Canadian beef provides utmost protection to U.S. consumers and the livestock industry,” said Mr. MacAdam. “Mr. Mitchell and his officials kept us fully informed of their actions, and I share the relief that an end to this crisis may now be in sight.”
Mr. MacAdam said that such measures as the removal of specified risk materials from the human food chain, a ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban, a national surveillance program and others helped to convince U.S. authorities that Canadian beef is safe. He said that, according to the World Organization for Animal Health guidelines, Canada is now considered a BSE minimal risk country. The United States Department of Agriculture has also expressed confidence in the measures Canada has taken.
“It is a tribute to the federal minister that he took all the necessary steps to help resolve this issue,” said Mr. MacAdam. “I am looking forward to working with him, with my provincial counterparts and with livestock producers to help rebuild this vital part of our economy.”