West Fargo's Richard Roberts planned to hunt caribou this September in northern Canada.
But he might not go because of a U.S. government ban that prevents him from bringing back any of the meat.
"This just doesn't make any sense," he said. "It could hurt a lot of people."
This spring, mad cow disease was discovered in Canada. The disease, officially known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, has devastated Europe's livestock industry.
In an effort to protect the United States, which so far is free of the disease, the U.S. Department of Agriculture in May banned Canadian shipments of meat and livestock. The ban affects all ruminants, or cud-chewing animals, including elk, moose, wild deer, caribou and bighorn sheep.
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U.S. hunters such as Richards -- who often pay thousands of dollars for hunting trips in Canada -- won't be able to bring back the meat of any of those animals.
Hunters aren't the only ones affected, Richards said.
He's talked with Canadian outfitters whose income comes almost exclusively from American hunters. The outfitters "say they could be just wiped out" if the ruling discourages American hunters from going north, he said.
Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., said he knows some hunters are upset with the USDA ruling. "I sure understand how disappointing this must be" to hunters planning a Canadian trip, he said.
But U.S. consumers and livestock must be protected, and scientists, not politicians, "have to decide what's safe and what isn't," he said.
His job, he said, is to make certain the USDA answers all critical questions about the issue.
Roberts said he and others hope a solution can be found.
His September trip would be the seventh time he's hunted caribou in Canada's Arctic Circle.
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"I really like it up there. I sure would miss not going," he said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jonathan Knutson at (701) 241-5530
