Pacific Views

Do as we say, not as we do.

After mad cow disease was discovered in Canada, the US banned all beef imports from that country for four months, and still bans the import of live cattle. The US acted similarly when the disease was discovered in cattle in other countries, subjecting those countries to lengthy import bans.

Now that mad cow has been found in Washington State — and cattle prices have dropped by 20 percent — the US is asking the countries that have banned US beef to start importing it again.

American officials will travel to Mexico City next week to urge Mexico, the Number 2 buyer of U.S. beef, to reopen its borders. Number 1 importer Japan was cool to U.S. entreaties this week, but will send a team of experts to Washington in the next week or so to assess the situation.

U.S. officials acknowledge they are asking for more flexibility from trading partners than the United States showed in the past. They say international standards have evolved as scientists learn more about BSE and how to control it.

As the US continues to ban the import of Canadian cattle, the Globe & Mail reports that rural communities dependent on ranching are on the verge of economic disaster.

Via Reuters.