The US District Court injunction that suspended Canadian beef importations has been reversed. Effective July 18, 2005 certain ruminant products may now be imported into the United States without permit under "prescribed conditions" by the United States Department of Agriculture. These new regulations are available for review on the Internet at the following web sites:

US Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS)

Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Interested parties should review these documents for complete details relative to the prescribed conditions for importation.

All commercial importations are to be referred to USDA/APHIS Agricultural Specialists for review and possible referral to the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS). These new guidelines still do not allow importation of personal use amounts of beef, lamb, or goat meat. Pet food in passenger baggage and groceries is also still prohibited.

Further complications could arise with respect to these importations if a US based ranchers group is successful with its contemplated July 27, 2005 action, in which they will ask a court to reinstate the ban.