Import ban on older Canadian beef to stay awhile

March 7 still remains the date for re-opening the border to live animals that are younger than 30 months old and headed to slaughter. Last week, USDA Secretary Mike Johanns announced a delay in the importation of Canadian boxed beef from animals 30 months and over. "Our ongoing investigations into the recent finds of BSE in Canada in animals over 30 months are not complete," he said. "Therefore, I feel it is prudent to delay the effective date for allowing imports of meat from animals 30 months and over."