Beef has soared to record prices in American grocery stores, and meatpackers have struggled from the lack of Canadian cattle they normally count on.

For now, with too few Canadian cattle to slaughter, the pressure continues to build on the American meatpacking industry.

Cuba reopens its border to Canadian cattle after being closed for two years.

The ban has been an irritant to relations, especially among ranchers who say Canadian cattle are as healthy as American cattle.

But infection through that route is unlikely unless other Canadian cattle are infected.

And the border has been closed to Canadian cattle ever since a calf in Alberta was found in 2003 to have mad cow disease.

The group has been seeking a permanent injunction banning Canadian cattle.

Truckload of Canadian cattle enters U.S. as the border is reopened for cows.

Mr. Bush offered no timetable for allowing Canadian cattle across the American border.

According to Statistics Canada, 1.69 million Canadian cattle were shipped to the United States in 2002, almost a third more than in 2001.