The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has completed its review of a proposed USDA rule that would allow Canadian cattle over 30 months of age to be imported, suggesting no changes.

With OMB approval, USDA has the green light to publish the proposed final rule in the Federal Register and entertain public comment for 60 days. A final decision isn't until perhaps as late as this summer.

USDA withdrew a similar rule last year when a 50-month-old Canadian cow, born after Canada's 1997 ruminant feed ban, tested positive for BSE. After four months of examining Canadian safeguards, USDA returned the proposal for review.
-- Alaina Burt