Nicaragua to allow U.S. live cattle exports

Nicaragua to allow U.S. live cattle exports    The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday that Nicaragua will allow U.S. live cattle, as well as beef products from cattle of all ages, across its border.
   With this agreement, concluded between the two countries on May 5, all Central America, except for El Salvador, is open to U.S. cattle and beef products, the USDA said.
   USDA officials have worked with Nicaragua's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to restore the market for live cattle exports, which was closed in December 2003 following reports of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or 'mad cow' disease, in the United States.
   The United States has not exported live cattle to Nicaragua since 2000. That year the Central American country accepted these shipments valued at $4.9 million, the USDA said.
   Since the BSE finding, the Nicaraguan market for U.S. beef was restricted to boneless beef, and other products, from cattle less than 30 months of age. When the market partially reopened in 2005 and 2008, the United States exported more than $600,000 in beef products to Nicaragua.
   'With the agreement just signed, the age restrictions are now lifted, allowing beef and beef products from cattle of any age to be exported as long as the cattle were slaughtered after May 5,' the USDA said.
   More than 100 countries allow U.S. beef products to enter their markets.