BRING ON THE BEEF: Govt lifting ban on Canadian beef imports

Minister expects move to assist with lowering food cost in country

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is removing the ban on the import of Canadian beef and all beef from countries meeting World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) recommended conditions of import.

Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister Clay Sweeting made the announcement in Parliament yesterday during debate on the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) Bill, 2022.

He said the government is removing the ban “to harmonize The Bahamas’ agricultural trade policy with international standards in regards to beef as well as appropriately protecting Bahamian interests”.

“Over the past 18 years, The Bahamas has maintained a ban on the importation of Canadian beef in response to a 2003 outbreak of BSE or mad cow disease, a chronic degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of cattle,” said Sweeting.

“As this poses a significant threat to animal health, it was classified as a ‘controlled risk’ for BSE by the World Organization for Animal Health.

“As recently as May 27, 2021, Canada was officially recognized by the OIE World Assembly of Delegates, at its 88th General Session, as having a ‘negligible risk’ for BSE-bovine spongiform encephalopathy — in accordance with the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code.

“In response to this change, the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA) drafted conditions of import in line with OIE recommended conditions of import for countries with the ‘negligible risk’ status for BSE.

“This provides the appropriate level of protection (ALOP) for the Bahamas Veterinary Public Health and therefore would make the import ban unnecessary.”

He noted that Canadian beef has been imported to the US, repackaged and shipped to the Bahamas for some time. 

“Eliminating the middleman should assist in lowering the cost of any product in any industry,” said Sweeting.

“My ministry understands we must look at short-term avenues to lower the cost of food in our country while creating a long-term food sustainability road map.

“This government understands the assignment.”