The Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) appreciates that effective March 18, 2021, Canada has now reached an agreement with Kuwait to restore Canadian beef full access. Following Canada's first bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) case in May 2003, Kuwait banned all Canadian cattle, beef and beef products. Even though no beef exports were recorded before the suspension, this new development creates potential for growth in the middle east for Canadian beef products.
Similarly, CCA appreciates the government's efforts to re-establish market access for beef and meat products from Canada to Guatemala that have been suspended since 2013. Guatemala has now confirmed approval for all beef, which is a significant improvement over the previous access that included only boneless under thirty-month (UTM) beef. Although Guatemala is a relatively small market for Canadian beef, this is a step towards increasing Canada's agri-food presence in Central America. On the negative side of the market access balance sheet, Qatar has reduced Canada’s previous full beef access to boneless UTM beef only.
CCA continues to advocate for improved market access for Canadian beef, a key to the economic success of Canada’s beef producers.
