9th Circuit stands by decision allowing Canadian cattle imports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) A federal appeals court today ruled that federal regulators acted properly when they lifted a temporary ban on Canadian cattle imports two years ago.

That was after a mad cow disease outbreak was discovered north of the border.

A group of cattle ranchers, known as R-CALF USA, sued the U.S.

Ag Department. They said allowing the imports threatened the U.S.

beef supply with mad cow disease.

People who eat meat tainted with the disease can contract a degenerative, fatal brain disorder called variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. More than 150 people died from the disorder after a 1986 outbreak in the United Kingdom.

Today, the appeals court said USDA acted properly, and declined to close the U.S.-Canada border to cattle imports.

Russell Frye is an attorney for the Montana-based ranchers. He says his clients haven't decided what to do next.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 08-28-07 1900CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list