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Harper regained Access for Canadian Beef to the Hong Kong Market

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | December 6, 2009 at 06:04 am

222 views | 40 Recommendations | 6 comments

The beef cattle industry in Canada, particularly in Alberta, has been in dire straits since the discovery of a cow that had been infected with BSE (Bovine spongiform encephalopathy).

In August 2006 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed that a cow infected with BSE had been located in Alberta. This set off a chain reaction, with the U.S. closing its border to Canadian beef, with similar results in the Asian markets.

Some believe that the U.S. decision was an overreaction playing into the hands of the Montana Cattleman's Association. The Canadian Cattle Market is fully integrated with that of the United States.

Prime Minister Harper announced yesterday, that Canada has regained access to the Hong Kong market. The announcement came after a meeting between PM Harper and Hong Kongs Chief Executive.

This is good news for Alberta cattle farmers.

Canadian beef exporters have regained access to the Hong Kong market following a meeting between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the former British colony's chief executive.

Regaining access to Hong Kong sends a strong signal to all Asian markets that Canadian beef is safe, Harper said in a statement late Saturday night.

Hong Kong, a key market for the Canadian agriculture sector, is worth more than half a billion dollars for the nation's farmers and processors. In 2008, Hong Kong was Canada's fourth-largest export market for beef.

On Sunday, the prime minister participated in the annual commemorative service at the Sai Wan War Cemetery honouring the Canadian soldiers who defended the territory during the Second World War.

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Barbara McPherson

at 06:14 on December 6th, 2009

Good news for the cattlemen. The U.S. might find they have BSE in their herds if they tested those "downer cows" for it.

Barry ORegan

at 06:29 on December 6th, 2009

Only Beef? What about Broccoli?

You cant have Beef and Broccoli, without Broccoli. I hear the alberta oil sands have some fine quality broccoli. perhaps what is good for Mao is good for Tsung

a211423

at 08:23 on December 6th, 2009

I am surprised that BSE is still considered threatening in Canada because once the cause of the spread of the disease was discovered cattle feeding practices would not include cattle parts such as the spinal cord that contained the infectious organisms.

This is good for the Alberta economy and the ranchers.

Congratulations!

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 08:47 on December 6th, 2009

At the time this was discovered, the cows were more than 6 years old and it was before the ban of those products. We didn.t consider it a threat because the fact that the cow or cows were being located, showed that the testing and controls at slaughterhouses worked.

a211423

at 08:52 on December 6th, 2009

Yes, I see. And once the perception of disease is there, its difficult for people to understand the disease process and how it was eradicated. At least this is a vote of confidence from Hong Kong.