WASHINGTON – More than 19 months after a mad cow scare closed U.S. borders to Canadian cattle, the United States said Wednesday it will allow imports beginning in March.

The new policy will permit imports of cattle younger than 30 months and certain other animals and products from Canada, which the Agriculture Department said has effective measures to prevent and detect bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease.

The department said the ruling will take effect March 7.