• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Canada wrapping up latest BSE investigation

HAY MAKER

Well-known member
Canada wrapping up latest BSE investigation
Wednesday, March 7, 2007, 3:55 PM

by Peter Shinn

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Tuesday it's wrapping up its investigation of the country's most recent case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), discovered in an Albertan bull on February 7th. And while the Agency didn't say so directly, the release suggested the CFIA blames contaminated feed for the infection.

The CFIA said its investigators have confirmed the BSE-positive bull had been born in 2000, making the animal well over six years old. That's also two to three years after Canada implemented a ruminant-to-ruminant feeding ban in August of 1997, and a year or more after USDA believes Canada's feed ban should have become effective in March of 1999.

The CFIA investigation also found the animal in question had been born and raised on the farm where it turned up positive for BSE. Therefore, the CFIA said it was now directing "all necessary resources toward the tracing of cattle that may have been exposed to the same feed as the affected animal during the early part of their lives."

The CFIA press release made no mention of Canada's current feed ban. But the Agency did tout Canada's "enhanced feed ban." According to the CFIA release, after the more robust ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban goes into effect in July of this year, "BSE should be eliminated from the national cattle herd within approximately 10 years."

In the meantime, the CFIA warned ag producers and consumers to expect additional BSE-positive cattle to turn up. "The CFIA expects the periodic detection of a limited number of cases to continue as the level of BSE continues to decline," the release said.
 
Top