Following a meeting between officials from Canada, Mexico and the United States in Mexico City, the three countries have agreed to adopt the North American import standards for BSE, which reflects current guidelines and proposed amendments to the animal health code of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
The harmonised North American standard is said to provide continued protection of human and animal health and food safety, while also establishing a framework for safe international trade opportunities for cattle and beef products from Canada, Mexico and the USA. The implementation of this standard is subject to the completion of the respective regulatory processes in each of the three countries. The necessary regulatory changes in Canada will be implemented as required.
Mexico has indicated that they will begin the process to amend their import permits to allow for the importation of a broader range of commodities from Canada. It is expected that Mexico will be in a position to receive this range of products in approximately three to four months.
