7:00 am - 10:00 am • Yuma 24 Room
NCBA US/Canada Issues Working Group


Working group addresses U.S./Canada issues

An NCBA working group addressing U.S./Canada issues met Friday morning at the 2004 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show. The working group heard an update on the Canada’s situation with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

Canadian Cattlemen’s Association representative Dennis Laycraft said his country’s consumers maintained their confidence in the safety of beef and stepped up purchases. Surveys indicate that 90% of Canadians believe the beef industry is well-regulated and that the beef supply is wholesome and safe.

However, since domestic consumption represents a relatively small portion of Canada’s total beef production, maintaining export levels is critical to the industry. The closing of export markets put prices into a nosedive. Canada also lacks sufficient slaughter capacity and depends on access to U.S. packers. According to Laycraft, the closing of the border to slaughter-ready animals has prolonged the crisis for Canadian producers.

Prices dipped as low as 35 cents (Canadian) per pound, he added, with producers losing as much as $300 per head.

Laycraft stressed the importance of restoring trade between the United States and Canada. He warned that other nations will be skeptical of trade with either country, if the United States and Canada won’t trade with one another.

— by Troy Smith