Canadian Sheep Federation Welcomes News
that Canadian Border Will
Open
for Small Ruminant Breeding Stock
For immediate release
February 7, 2007 (Guelph, ON) – The Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) is pleased
with the news that imports of live sheep, goats and other small ruminants,
which were previously banned from entering Canada, will soon be allowed to
cross the border, for breeding purposes. The announcement was made on February
2nd 2007 by The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board.
The CSF has
been lobbying for the resumption of imports of sheep into
“This is great news for the sheep industry,” says Florence
Henning, Chair of the CSF. “Since 2004 the CSF has been consulting with the Canadian
Food Inspection Agency with respect to changing the import regulations. These
changes were endorsed by the CSF with the understanding that they would
demonstrate our commitment to trade issues being based on science.”
The ability to
import genetics is essential so that Canadian sheep producers can maintain genetic
diversity in their flocks. In addition, producers will now have an increased ability
to improve their genetics to meet production needs and respond quickly to
customer demands. The ability to maintain genetic diversity is essential to a
versatile Canadian sheep industry, but, it will also help ensure that sheep
producers worldwide will continue consider Canada as a source of genetics for
their own breeding programs.
The CSF and other
industry organizations continue to work diligently to gain access to the U.S.
market for Canadian breeding stock and were disappointed that small ruminants
were not included in Rule 2, which was circulated for comment in January.
The
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For More Information Contact:
Jennifer Fleming,
CSF Executive Director: 1-888-684-7739