Canadian Cattlemen's Association President Hugh Lynch-Staunton said having the administrative process for the Rule 2 back in motion after a four-month hiatus is positive news for the industry.

''It means that the administration wants to move forward to resume normal trade, and this is the first step in a series of legal mechanisms that we have to go through, so it's good for us to know it's finally underway,'' he said Tuesday.

Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl is similarly encouraged by the USDA's decision to resubmit the rule the White House's Office of Management and Budget for review - the last step before publication of the rule for public comment.

''Resuming the OMB process indicates that normalizing trade remains a priority and a shared objective of our two governments,'' he stated.

Older cattle and their beef products have been banned from the U.S. since May 2003, when Canada found its first case of BSE.

Source: Canada.com