End of beef ban could open Mexican market for P.E.I.

P.E.I.'s Atlantic Beef Products is hopeful Mexico could become a new market with the announcement of an end to that country's ban on many beef products.

The ban was put in place in 2003 over BSE fears. The ban will end in October, it was announced Tuesday. It's one of a number of measures negotiated as the two countries improve relations.

• Canada drops Mexican visa requirement, Mexico lifts beef ban

The restriction had been lifted partially, but the new change lifts the last bans on live cattle and meat from older animals.

"One of the things that typically is made from animals over 30 months would be ground beef, and ground beef is a big part of what we do," said Atlantic Beef Products president Russ Mallard.

"It's early to say whether ground beef for Atlantic Beef Products into Mexico would be an opportunity but we're looking to see if it will be if so we'll follow up and hopefully perhaps they can be a customer of ours here."

The visa requirement for Mexican visitors had been in place since 2009. It was imposed to reduce the number of asylum seekers.

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