On January 1st, 2012, Canada implemented a new protocol for the production of cattle used to produce beef for the European Union (EU) market. While the requirement to ensure that no Growth Enhancing Products (GEP) are used in animals for the EU remains firmly in place, significant progress has been made to reduce paperwork and other costs of participation. Among the most important changes is the removal of the requirement for a dedicated EU program ear tag. In the past, the protocol specified that a special EU tag be placed in the animal's ear in addition to the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) tag. This change reduces costs for participants and also the logistical challenges of securing these tags from a single supplier. Another important attribute of the new approach is that it permits sales of EU eligible animals at the auction mart. Given the numbers of animals sold at auction, it is important that Canadian producers be able to utilize this option in the same manner as EU protocols implemented in Australia and the U.S. currently permit. Simplified requirements for testing and monitoring on the farm have also been put into place which reduces the cost of labour and also expenses related to veterinary oversight.
While significant progress has been made at the livestock production level, further improvements regarding EU-approved slaughter protocols are needed in order to get more facilities approved for the EU and to help those that are already approved operate more efficiently. For example, under the current EU requirements it is not possible to use the antimicrobial treatments that many processors rely on. These include organic acid washes which are sprayed onto carcasses and cuts. Currently the use of lactic acid is being considered in the EU following a positive recommendation by the European Food Safety Authority. The approval process has been slow to proceed and it remains to be seen when this type of intervention will be an option for beef exported to the EU.
The importance of antimicrobial interventions will continue to grow as new microbiological testing requirements for the U.S. market are implemented in March of this year. Accordingly, the CCA will continue to work towards further results on these technical issues so that the Canadian industry is able to take full advantage of the free trade agreement currently being negotiated with the EU.
