U.S. meat group’s attempt to open Canadian border fails

U.S. meat group’s attempt to open Canadian border fails    The oldest and largest U.S. meat and poultry trade group failed to gain a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of a May 2003 ban on imports of Canadian cattle and beef.
   The U.S. Department of Agriculture had planned to reestablish imports of Canadian cattle of less than 30 months of age on Monday. However, the issuance of an injunction by a federal judge in Montana and the passage of a Senate resolution last week kept the border closed.
   Some farm groups are concerned about the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or “mad cow” disease, from Canada to the U.S. herd. Humans may contract the brain-wasting disease if they consume infected beef products.
   The American Meat Institute (AMI) vowed to fight to restore the import of beef products from Canada.
   “There is truly no scientific, or legal reason why this protracted ban on Canadian beef and cattle should continue,” said Mark Dorp, AMI’s senior vice president of regulatory affairs and general counsel, in a statement.