The Canadian and American governments have reached a deal to respect each other's zoning measures in the case of animal disease outbreaks.
Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz made the announcement in Winnipeg on Wednesday.
"When there is an outbreak of a foreign animal disease, such as BSE, the whole country is not at risk, simply the area within the zone that we have identified would be withheld from trade, so it doesn't shut down the whole country," explains Ritz.
The US must recognize the disease control zone as defined by the Canadian government, and Canada must reciprocate.
"West Hawk Lake is ideal choke point in Canada...that's a natural zoning point. Some would say the Rocky Mountains are another good one," says Ritz. "We'll announce what we think the zone should be, then they have to agree to it, as do we on the American side."
A more-detailed framework, outlining exactly how the arrangement will work, is still under development.
Source: Portageonline