Meat from Canada

[fishdoggydog]

A freind said he will have trouble getting moose meat into USA from Canada because of the Mad Cow ban on beef. Any thoughts on this problem? He said the outfitter talked to local butchers and they said they will not try to ship it, and he is flying up and back.

[Darkwolf]

A couple of years ago an outbreak of mad cow in five canadian beef cattle caused a massive closure of all ungulate (cow, sheep, deer, etc.) imports into the U.S. That ban has since been lifted on game animal meat but has (at the urging of trade-protectionist U.S. ranching interests) been retained for commercial beef imports.

However, there is also a problem concerning game fish in B.C. that might have a similar bearing. The U.S. cutoms will not allow any uninspected sports-caught fish (and possible game meat) into the country. Alaska, to deal with this matter has set-up a system of game fish inspection done at the fish packers or lodges to accomodate this restriction.

In Canada, however, inspection is done through the Federal ministry of agriculture, only at approved facilities, and the ministry catagorically refuses to institute a "two-tiered" set of inspection proceedures for commercial and sports interests. Since the few over-worked inspectors only have regulations for inspection of commercial food products, inspection is denied to sports-caught fish. Thus, for the moment, B.C. sport-caught fish is denied entry to the U.S.

This is threatening the livelihood of Canadian fishing lodges, the future of which falls on deaf ears in Ottawa since the reigning Liberal party is opposed to "bloodsports" and sporting lodges are in non-liberal voting ridings.

It is possible that this regulation is also applicible to game meat.

I'd check with U.S. customs about the issue.

[Darkwolf]

Here's their page...

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/alerts/

I'd check anyway, just before going to nmake sure info is up-to-date.

[Niteowl]

Well if this is any Indication as to how serious they are about the importation of meat into the US....I drive truck back and forth to Canada 4 trips a week and my wife generally goes with me on Saturdays.I stopped and got her lunch at Subway before crossing over into Canada,and she ate only half of it.Coming back home into the US she was eating the other half and customs stopped us at the port,and inquired as to the contents of the sandwich,when we said it was roast beef,she was told to eat it right there in front of him before we would be allowed to cross back into the US,unless you have a reciept for the purchase...you either eat it or toss it.