PROGRESS MADE ON US BEEF BAN

Premier Lorne Calvert today expressed appreciation at the US decision to signal that it will accept certain beef products from Canada and start to develop a protocol to allow for young slaughter animals to be shipped to US slaughter plants.

"This is a first step and strong endorsement of the safety of Canada's beef supply," Calvert said. "It also reflects the hard work and dedication of thousands of Canadians at all levels who have worked to find the source of the problem and secure the safety of the beef herd."

The move to open the US to boneless boxed beef will allow the exportation of meat from cattle under the age of 30 months, veal that is 36 weeks or younger and fresh or frozen beef liver. It will also include boneless, young sheep and goat meat and other cervid meat product.

"This is an important step for the US because they are the first country to signal they will start to open their market to imports from a country where BSE occurred. The US must continue to take steps to further open its borders to all ruminants and ruminant meat where the science indicates there is no risk of BSE," Calvert said.

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For More Information, Contact:

Scott Brown Agriculture Regina Phone: (306)787-4031