The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced the re-opening of market access for Canadian beef and beef products to the Dominican Republic.

This decision restores access to an important Caribbean market for the first time since 2003, when the Dominican Republic imposed restrictions following Canada's initial case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

The Caribbean country reopened its market following an audit of Canada's beef inspection system conducted by the Dominican Republic's General Directorate of Medicines, Food and Health Products and the General Directorate of Livestock. The audit confirmed the strength and reliability of Canada's food safety, inspection, and animal-health controls, leading authorities to remove long-standing restrictions on Canadian beef.

The Dominican Republic imported approximately $215 million in beef and beef products from countries around the world last year. The reopening of this market provides Canadian exporters with an opportunity to compete in this significant import market.

Three Canadian beef processing facilities have been approved to export to the Dominican Republic.

 

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