Mexico has lifted the ban in imposed on Canadian beef in
2003 after an Alberta cow died of Bovine Spongiform Enchephalopathy (BSE, or
mad cow’s disease).
Mexico is one of the last countries to maintain the ban.
Canada, in turn, has lifted its requirement that all Mexican
visitors obtain a visa before being allowed into Canada.
"This move will make it easier for
our Mexican friends to visit Canada, while growing our local economies and
strengthening our communities," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The policy had been imposed
by the previous Conservative government to stem the flow of asylum
claims from Mexico which nearly tripled from 2005 to 2008, when
Mexicans accounted for more than 25 per cent of all refugee claims filed in
Canada.
The Canadian Meat Council and the
Canadian Cattlemen’s Association welcomed the announcement.
“Averaging
more than $130 million annually during the past five years, Mexico has ranked
consistently as one of Canada’s top three export markets for beef and veal
products,” said Canadian Meat Council Executive Director Jim Laws.
“Nevertheless,
the Mexican market has been closed to Canadian beef products derived from
animals 30 months and older as well as for ground meat and several specialty
meats. Today’s announcement will allow trade to resume for all beef and veal
products,” Laws said.
“The
full normalization of trade in beef products with Mexico has been a high
priority for the Canadian beef industry” said Canadian Meat Council President
Joe Reda.
It is
estimated that the resumption, effective October 1, of full access for beef and
veal products to the Mexican market will result in an increase of $10 million a
year in revenues for farmers and meat packers.
The
increase comes from anticipated price increases because Mexico will be paying
more than the current Canadian price for the beef it imports.
Dan
Darling, president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, said the timing is
particularly welcome because fall is when most ranchers cull their cow herd and
now there will be improved market demand for those older than 30 months.
