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STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE ANDY MITCHELL, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD ON R-CALF COURT CHALLENGE

OTTAWA, March 2, 2005 - I share the profound disappointment of the Canadian livestock industry regarding today's U.S. District Court decision to grant a preliminary injunction preventing the implementation of the U.S. rule that would have allowed a resumption of U.S. imports of live cattle, other ruminants and a wider range of products derived from them. It has taken a lot of work and collaboration on both sides of the border at all levels of both industry and government to reach this point.

Canada and the United States have the same BSE risk status, and have similar safeguards in place to protect human health, food safety and animal health. The interests of consumers and producers on both sides of the border would be served by reintegrating our ruminant and meat markets to the fullest extent possible based on science. The science indicates that the border should be reopened. We appreciate assurances from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that they will continue to work to ensure that science-based decision-making prevails and that international trade needs to be re-established in an expeditious manner.

Today's decision does not reflect the views of the USDA. This is a decision rendered by the US District Court in Montana. The USDA recognizes that Canada is a minimal-risk BSE region, and that we have the appropriate animal and public health measures in place.

The Government of Canada will continue to stand behind our livestock industry. We will work together with the provinces and the industry to carefully consider the appropriate next steps resulting from today's decision.

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For information:

Elizabeth Whiting
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
613-759-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
613-759-7972