American borders opened this week to Canadian cattle older than 30 months, but the Montana Department of Livestock is requiring a special permit to bring older breeding stock into this state. According to officials, live cattle from Canada born after March 1, 1999 can be now imported. The USDA also notes that the change is firmly based in science and ensures that U.S. regulators will protect the country against the disease.
But critics counter that the federal government has failed to fully investigate the potential impact to U.S. ranchers and their export markets. R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America asked a U.S. District Court judge in South Dakota for a temporary restraining order to stop the rule change. The organization is also suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture over the matter.
"Right now, the request for the restraining order is in the judge's hands, and we are just waiting to hear something," said Shae Dodson, R-CALF's communications director.
