USDA RELEASES RULE TO ESTABLISH MINIMAL-RISK REGIONS FOR BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY Recognizes Canada as Minimal-Risk Region, Making it Eligible to Export to the United States WASHINGTON, Dec. 29, 2004 --The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that after conducting an extensive risk review it is establishing conditions under which it will allow imports of live cattle under 30 months of age and certain other commodities from regions with effective bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) prevention and detection measures. This final rule ensures the continued protection of public and animal health from BSE, while removing prohibitions on the importation of certain animals...