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First Texas breeding cattle exported to Mexico since 2003Commissioner Staples, other state/federal/international officials recognize historic event Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples hosted a celebration May 21 marking a historic occasion for cattle producers as the first Texas breeding cattle crossed into Mexico after a ban lasting more than four years. U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Bruce Knight, Texas Animal Health Commission Chairman Ernie Morales, Coahuila Secretary of Agriculture Hector Fernandez Aguirre and many others joined the commissioner. "Today is a win for Texas, a win for the U.S., and a win for Mexico," Commissioner Staples said. "This agreement restores a market worth millions of dollars to Texas cattlemen and a big boost to the Lone Star State economy." "The agreement we signed in late March has enabled the first live cattle trade with Mexico in more than four years, "USDA Under Secretary Knight said. "Sending cattle across the border today is an important step in expanding our partnership under the North American Free Trade Agreement. And it's good news for cattle producers in all three countries." The re-establishment of cattle trade with Mexico came just two months after Commissioner Staples engaged partners in New Mexico, Arizona and California in coordinated efforts to expedite this border re-opening. Mexico first banned Texas breeding cattle in 2003 when a single Canadian-born cow in the state of Washington was confirmed to have bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Since then, the U.S. has worked with Mexico and other international trading partners to re-establish beef and live cattle trade consistent with the guidelines of the World Organisation for Animal Health. In April 2008, the U.S. and Mexican governments finally reached an agreement on exporting breeding beef cattle to Mexico consistent with those guidelines. In May 2007, the OIE formally classified the U.S. as a controlled risk country for BSE. This classification, combined with strong U.S. regulatory safeguards, allows for broad trade of cattle consistent with international standards. Texas is the nation's leader in the number of cattle and calves, and the industry represents a $7.4 billion value to the Texas economy. Texas cattlemen have regained access to a market worth more than $86 million in annual U.S. sales, with a total economic impact in excess of $400 million. 6/2/08 Date: 5/29/08
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