01/05/07 Concern about expanded BSE rule

Washington Ag January 5, 2007 It wasn't necessary for Cattle Producers of Washington President Lee Engelhardt to read USDA's proposed minimal risk rule on BSE unveiled yesterday to know he would probably be fighting against its implementation. The proposed rule, to be published in the Federal Register next Tuesday, would allow Canadian cattle over 30 months of age and beef products from them, into the U.S. Currently only beef and cattle from younger animals can be imported and Engelhardt and the fellow producers he represents weren't happy about that. Engelhardt: "They haven't been living up to the health standards but we are going to open our border, and that reduces our health standards to their level, doesn't it? Jack Field, Executive Vice President of the Washington Cattlemen's Association, says his members want to make sure feed ban issues in Canada have been addressed and then like Engelhardt, there are concerns about economic impact. Field: "As you are well aware we have been having some real battles with South Koreans and even issues with the Japanese market. Until we are able to fully regain our export markets it is premature to accept additional live or processed product into the U.S." USDA says the largest economic impact would be on cull cows and processing beef . Cull cows could see $5 a hundredweight decline this year. However, USDA sees reduced imports of Canadian feeder and fed cattle and beef, which could add $2.20 a head to feeder cattle in 2007. I'm Bob Hoff.