HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 7
INTRODUCED BY SMALL-EASTMAN
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO REJECT THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S PROPOSAL TO RESUME LIVE CATTLE TRADE WITH CANADA UNTIL MONTANA PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS CAN BE ASSURED THAT THE FOOD SUPPLY IS SAFE FROM BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY (BSE) AND THAT THE CATTLE INDUSTRY OF MONTANA WILL NOT BE HARMED.
WHEREAS, Montana's beef industry is a significant contributor to the state's agricultural economy and is vital to Montana's economy; and
WHEREAS, Montana relies on export markets in the Pacific Rim and other markets around the world; and
WHEREAS, the United States' export markets have declined more than $2 billion since the first Canadian cow with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was discovered in Washington state in 2003; and
WHEREAS, 70% of countries with a confirmed case of BSE have discovered additional infected animals after the initial outbreak; and
WHEREAS, Montana borders the province of Alberta, Canada, where all of the BSE-positive animals in North America have originated; and
WHEREAS, Montana provides a trucking corridor to the south for all Alberta feedlots; and
WHEREAS, 27,872 head of cattle, out of a national herd of approximately 6 million adult animals, or 0.46% of the national herd, have been tested for BSE in Canada compared to more than 199,166 in the United States, out of a national herd of approximately 80 million adult animals, or 0.24% of the national herd, despite the fact that all BSE-positive cases in North America have been discovered among the native Canadian herd; and
WHEREAS, Canada's meat and bone meal feed ban has not prevented several shipments of feed from being turned back by the Canadian government because of unknown animal parts, there are reports that 70% of tested feed samples in Canada contained unknown animal proteins, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed that the original BSE-positive Canadian cow that was discovered in May 2003 was rendered into nonruminant animal feed and distributed to approximately 1,800 Canadian farms; and
WHEREAS, in early January 2005, Canada confirmed a third BSE-positive animal; and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Agriculture has announced opening the border to imports of live Canadian cattle and further Canadian beef products.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the United States Congress be urged to reject the current proposal by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reestablish live cattle trade with Canada until safeguards have been established and specific measures have been met to assure the producers and consumers in Montana that the cattle industry in Montana will not be placed in jeopardy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that international trade be reestablished with as many countries as possible that maintain their ban on United States beef and beef products, including our largest international customers, Japan and South Korea, prior to the United States border with Canada being opened.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United States Congress be urged to ban all meat and feed imports from countries that have not implemented and successfully enforced a 100% compliance rate with a ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United States Department of Agriculture be urged to immediately finalize reasonable, cost-efficient, and workable rules to implement mandatory country of origin labeling before any live cattle or any additional Canadian beef product imports resume.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State send a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Montana Congressional Delegation.
- END -
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