Washington -- In an ongoing effort to protect the United States cattle industry and keep American beef safe for consumers, U.S. Representative Barbara Cubin (R-WY) is urging the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to halt a recent ruling which would allow for the importation of unsafe Canadian cattle.

“Expanding Canadian cattle imports is a dangerous and potentially costly mistake,” Cubin said. “Opening up our border to allow for questionable Canadian cattle only serves to jeopardize the safety of our own beef and puts Wyoming’s ranchers at risk.”

Cubin joined colleagues in the United States House of Representatives today co-sponsoring a resolution to formally disapprove a rule implemented by the Secretary of Agriculture. The new rule, known as the “Over Thirty Months” rule (OTM), would expand eligible imports of Canadian cattle to all those over 30 months old and born after March 1, 1999.

Canada has seen eleven occurrences of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as Mad Cow Disease, since 2003.  The USDA subsequently cut off trade with Canadian beef producers after the first case was discovered, but has gradually relaxed the restrictions on imports despite clear evidence that Canada’s BSE mitigation efforts have been unsuccessful so far.

“It is imperative that our consumers and trading partners maintain the highest confidence in U.S. beef,” Cubin said. “The last thing America’s hard-working cattle producers need is an infiltration of beef that could potentially harm their herds.”

Cubin has been a tireless advocate for the Wyoming cattle industry for years and has been working to stop the implementation of this rule since its proposal. Cubin teamed up with a bi-partisan group of Western lawmakers in June sending a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture urging him to halt consideration of the OTM rule.

In addition, Cubin introduced an amendment to the Farm Bill in July which would give the USDA guidelines for safely and appropriately importing beef. Currently, the USDA operates without a set criteria to determine when it is safe to import cattle and beef into the United States.

“I fear the Administration is trying to create a North American herd of cattle by refusing to recognize the difference in the Canadian and American herds,” Cubin said. “I believe we need a Department of Agriculture that looks out for our American herd of cattle to ensure the safety of our beef and success of our ranching industry.”

The rule is set to take effect November 19, 2007.