It's not principle, but at least it's something

Remember U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns? He's back in the news:

Johanns said re-opening the border was vital for the domestic cattle business. He said beef prices in the United States have risen too high since May 2003, when the border was closed after Canada's first case of mad cow disease.
If beef supplies don't increase and drive down prices, "American consumers will start choosing other sources of protein," he told reporters after the meeting.

This may be the worst reason I've heard for opening the border - but sadly it's also the most likely to make R-CALF listen.

Interestingly enough, R-CALF's CEO shot back criticizing the USDA's risk mitigation. Could the U.S. stumble toward an open border and reasonable consumer protection all at once?