OTTAWA - The federal government says it has helped resolve a problem that could have thwarted the renewed shipment of Canadian breeding cattle through the U.S. to Mexico.

Three weeks ago Mexico announced it would lift a five-year ban on such shipments from Canada that was imposed during the mad cow disease scare.

But Mexico had tougher rules for U.S. cattle - which prompted border states such as Texas to declare they would not allow Canadian animals to be shipped through them.

On Thursday Agriculture Canada announced that the three national governments have agreed to use the same rules based on World Organization for Animal Health standards.

Such livestock exports will be limited to cattle born after 1999.

Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said the agreement will mean farmers in all three countries will now have access to livestock from anywhere in North America.

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