Eastport to continue shipping cows
The federal government has extended the Port of Eastport's license to continue exporting livestock overseas.
The port has handled about 20,000 cattle since last summer, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently decided to renew its inspection contracts before they expired Nov. 15, according to the Bangor Daily News. The port last summer became the first in New England to win temporary permission from the USDA to export livestock, and began shipping heifers from Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and the Northeast to dairy farmers in Turkey. Chris Gardner, executive director of the Eastport Port Authority, told the paper the livestock exports have accounted for the majority of its new business this year, and allowed it to hire extra staff and offer more hours to existing employees. The port was hoping to receive a permanent certification as a livestock exportation facility, but instead its temporary certification was renewed
The cows are all shipped pregnant and are used to establish domestic dairy herds overseas. U.S. cows are coveted for their health, reliable milk production and availability due to depressed domestic milk prices, Mainebiz reported last year. Turkish importers sought cows from states free from blue tongue disease.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments