U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns has given Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl the right answers when it comes to Rule Two.


Rule Two is the piece of American legislation which will allow Canadian cattlemen to export over 30 month of age live animals to the States.


Strahl says in a recent meeting with Johanns the Secretary inidicated the U.S.D.A. had received the information it needs about Canada's latest cases of B.S.E.


Johanns has stated at first glance the information leads him to believe there is nothing that would stop the U.S. from enacting Rule Two as quickly as possible.


The development of Rule Two was halted earlier this year after a 50 month old Alberta dairy cow was confirmed as having B.S.E.


Because the animal was exposed to the disease after the 1997 implementation of Canada’s feed ban, the case raised eyebrows south of the border.


It was later learned by C.F.I.A. the animal died of causes unrelated to B.S.E., and more than likely would have lived for an additional 4 to 6 months.


If that had been the case the age range would not be significantly different from that of previous Canadian cases.