Oklahomans praise judge's ruling on cattle imports

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Most cattle and agriculture officials in Oklahoma are pleased with a federal judge's ruling that stops the US from re-opening its border to cattle and beef imports from Canada.

Thursday, March 3rd 2005, 8:54 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Most cattle and agriculture officials in Oklahoma are pleased with a federal judge's ruling that stops the US from re-opening its border to cattle and beef imports from Canada.

The border was to be re-opened Monday, but a judge in Montana granted a livestock group's request to postpone the move because of concerns about mad cow disease in Canada.

Oklahoma National Stockyards president Rob Fisher says he's been concerned because of the recent cases of mad cow disease found in Canada. And Jack Carson with the state Agriculture, Food and Forestry Department says department officials are pleased.

Carson says state Agriculture Secretary Terry Peach believes the border should eventually be re-opened to Canadian cattle and beef, but slowly.

Canada has reported two new cases of mad cow disease this year.