REGINA — For the first time since mad cow disease was found in Canada, cattle from the United States will be shown this week at the country's largest agricultural marketplace.
Two U.S. producers are bringing animals across the border for the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina.
Two exhibitors out of more than 400 may not sound like much, said Agribition general manager Leon Brinn, but it's still significant.
“This represents a major move on the part of American producers to recognize the strength of the Canadian show,” said Mr. Brinn.
“We believe that it has to do with the fact that they recognize the strength of the North American market lies in the full North American market, and the fact that they need to be active in Canada.”
The animals are coming from two states and are two different breeds.
American producers stopped bringing their cattle north to Agribition after Canada's first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy was discovered in May 2003.
As of September, eight Canadian cows have tested positive for BSE, also known as mad cow disease. The United States now allows importation of younger Canadian cattle and certain beef cuts, but a ban remains on older animals.
U.S. producers have appeared at Agribition for the last three years, but only to show and sell cattle that they owned and kept on ranches within Canada.
Mr. Brinn said he hoped the reappearance of U.S.-based cattle at the show would bring more good news.
“Everyone within the industry is looking for some breakthrough at the border,” said Mr. Brinn. “If this is a very small step toward that, then so much the better.”
The Canadian Western Agribition starts Monday and runs through Saturday.
© Canadian Press
