Mexico lifts complete ban on Canadian beef

Mexico will begin importing beef from Canada after imposing a 13-year ban due to mad cow disease.

Announced by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in Ottawa, the decision will see Mexico re-open its market for Canadian beef from 1 October.

Mexico currently allows Canadian beef from cattle that is less than 30 months old.

According to CBC, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association president Dan Darling said the re-opening gives Canadian farmers the confidence they need to expand their herds in the future.

Mexico was among several countries that imposed a ban on Canadian beef after mad cow disease was first reported in Canada in 2003.

The sixth largest beef producer in the world, Canada currently sells approximately C$136m ($103.96m) worth of beef to Mexico a year.

Before the restrictions were imposed, Canada sold between C$270m to C$290m of beef to Mexico.