The Dominican Republic shut Canadian beef out in 2003 because of BSE
The Dominican Republic has reopened its borders to Canadian beef.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) made the announcement, which applies to beef and beef products, including offal, from cattle of all ages, on Sept. 11.
JBS Food and Cargill in Alberta, and Tru North Foods in Manitoba, are approved to export to the Dominican Republic.
It was on May 20, 2003, that the Caribbean country and others started refusing imports of Canadian beef because of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).
Canada received negligible risk status for BSE in 2021.
Between the Dominican Republic’s initial suspension in 2003, and the resumption on Sept. 11, 2026, 23 years, three months, and 22 days, has passed.
That’s 8,515 total days.
The market access restoration came after Dominican officials audited Canada’s beef inspection system.
The audit, supported by the Canadian Meat Council, found Canada’s protocols to be in good standing.
“The Canadian Meat Council has been advocating for this market access since 2023, and we were proud to host and fund the Dominican audit team during its visit to Canada to help make this approval possible,” the organization said on its LinkedIn page. That audit was critical. Without it — and ultimately the Dominican Republic’s approval — Canadian establishments could not export to this market.”
With the renewed access, Canadian beef producers can compete in a market that imported about $215 million of beef in 2025.
“Re-opening access creates new opportunities for our farmers and processors to expand their reach, strengthen their operations, and support jobs across Canada,” Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald said in a statement. “Our government will continue working with industry and international partners to open doors, drive growth, and showcase the best of Canadian agriculture globally.”