Dramatic Increase in Cattle to Canada Credited to Accord

December 14, 1999

Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman says a year-old trade agreement with Canada has resulted in feeder cattle exports increasing from 1,000 head in 1997-98 to 51,000 head in 1998-99. More than 90,000 head of U.S. cattle were shipped to Canada during the first eight weeks of the 1999-2000 season.

In a progress report issued Monday, Glickman also says new Canadian import regulations allow U.S. slaughter hogs from eligible states to enter Canada under simplified rules. Streamlined procedures for grain from eligible states are in place to transship grain through Canada to other U.S. destinations. By the end of October, certificates of origin had been issued for more than 550,000 tons of U.S. wheat, oats and barley.

The two countries also are harmonizing their pesticide review and registration processes.

"I am encouraged by the progress we have made toward fairer and open bilateral trade," says Glickman. "In the first year of this accord, we have resolved some longstanding trade issues, opened new opportunities for U.S. exports to Canada and improved cooperation to the benefit of farmers and ranchers on both side of the border."

The joint progress report on the U.S.-Canada record of understanding on agricultural trade is available on the Internet at