Let me back up one moment on the SRM requirement.
Again, it was recognized going in that there were economic analyses done as to the impact on the sector, what it would cost per animal and how those costs would be distributed across the chain. That was part of the gazetting process. Although there was not unanimity around the overall outcomes of the feed ban, nevertheless there was very strong industry support and consensus that this was a necessary step in order for Canada to both achieve recognized controlled status, to manage the disease in the most effective way, to maintain domestic and international confidence, and to regain international market access.
As I said in my remarks, I think we have seen the benefit of that since the coming into force of the feed ban in July. In fact, we have seen a broader range of products being now accepted internationally for trade purposes. Markets that had been previously closed to Canada have now started to open their markets to Canada. We've also benefited not only on the meat side, but we have in fact achieved significant live cattle exports, some 8,000 head to Russia, exports to Kazakhstan, and exports to other countries.
Having achieved that, is that relief uniform across the sector? No, it is not. Are we stopping at this point in time? No, we are not. We will continue to do everything possible to restore international market access there.
With respect to the costs associated with this, the money that was put forward by the federal government, and then cost-shared with the provinces, with provincial investment as well, some of that money was made available to the capitalization for infrastructure adjustments by the packing houses. They did have access to some of that funding to achieve some of the needs they had to meet.
Again, we also benefited from the reality that this rule in and of itself was not a rule that came into force quickly. In fact, it was the result of almost three and a half years of consultation. We had, I think, on the part of industry, a recognition that they were able, over time, to mitigate some of those costs because it was not an immediate impact. They were able to amortize some of those costs and make adjustments in advance of the rule coming into effect.
I would be the first to state, as well, that we do recognize that the capacity of the small abattoir versus a large commercial outfit isn't equal, so those have been some of the adjustments we've made by giving an extension for smaller abattoirs to come fully online with some of the parameters of the rule.
As I say, at the end of the day, this was a rule that, challenging as it has been, has been well accepted by industry. They have worked hard to be in compliance and they have worked hard to implement the rule. We are continuing to work hard with them to continue to ensure that, as their processes can be adapted to achieve those same outcomes with less cost to them or less waste to them, we in fact are moving in that direction for those discussions in December with the round table.