U.S. dairy producers can now export heifers under 24 months of age, a positive step to opening cattle trade between other countries. Mexico requires that heifers by identified before they can cross the border and the animals’ information will be entered into the Mexican animal identification system. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns is happy about this.
“I am pleased with this first step in reestablishing cattle trade with Mexico, but I remain committed to a broader resumption of cattle trade between our countries,” Johanns said. Mexico banned U.S. beef and cattle in December 2003 after the U.S. announced the discovery of its first case of mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy.