Exporting Under the USDA Final Rule on BSE Risk

(Canadian Food Inspection Agency)

The coming into effect of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Final Rule rule on Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) risk will open up new opportunities for Canadian exporters, primarily by allowing imports of a broader range of cattle and meat and other products derived from them.

The final rule opens the U.S. border to the following:

• live cattle and other bovines (e.g. bison) for any use, including breeding, born on or after, March 1, 1999 (under the previous rule only cattle under 30 months of age and destined for immediate slaughter or restricted feedlots were eligible);

• meat and meat products from animals of any age;

• blood and blood products derived from bovines, collected under certain conditions; and

• casings and part of the small intestine derived from bovines. In preparation for the changes, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has worked with the Canadian cattle industry and animal health practitioners, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to address the associated technical requirements.

The CFIA is re-accrediting private veterinarians across the country to certify that Canadian exports are in compliance with the new requirements. Export certificates have been revised to address these requirements.

The CFIA encourages Canadian animal producers and processors to consult with an accredited vet or visit the CFIA web site at the address below to familiarize themselves with the export requirements.

For additional information, please contact a CFIA district office. They are listed in the blue pages of the telephone book but are also available on the CFIA website. For Questions and Answers, please visit the CFIA website.