103-08, Sample Collection From Cattle Under the Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy (BSE) Ongoing Surveillance Program (PDF Only)
NOTE: This notice reissues the content of FSIS Notice 08-07 in its entirety.
Dec 31, 2008 Jan 1, 2010
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE
WASHINGTON, DC
FSIS NOTICE 103-08 12/31/08 DISTRIBUTION: Electronic NOTICE EXPIRES: 1/1/10
OPI: OPPD
NOTE: THIS NOTICE REISSUES THE CONTENT OF FSIS NOTICE 08-07 IN ITS ENTIRETY
SAMPLE COLLECTION FROM CATTLE UNDER THE BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY
(BSE) ONGOING SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM
I. PURPOSE This notice provides the Food Safety and Inspection Service
(FSIS) inspection program personnel with instructions regarding the
collection of brain samples for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service's (APHIS) Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) ongoing
surveillance plan. This notice cancels FSIS Notice 51-06, Sample Collection
from Cattle under the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Ongoing
Surveillance Program, and FSIS Notice 52-06, Temporary Suspension of
Provision in the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Ongoing Surveillance
Program. FSIS has incorporated the pertinent information from the cancelled
notices into this notice. This revised notice is a result of changes APHIS
has made to its surveillance plan.
II. DEFINITION OF NEW COLLECTION PROCEDURES
A. Approved Alternative Off-Site Sample Collection
1. APHIS will provide for the collection of brain (obex) samples from an
allocated number of cattle 30 months and older condemned for any reason on
ante-mortem inspection, and from cattle of any age displaying Central
Nervous System (CNS) symptoms, at federally-inspected slaughter
establishments that have agreements with APHIS under the approved
alternative off-site sample collection program.
2. At such establishments, FSIS inspection program personnel will not
collect brain samples. They will provide the following to plant management:
a. condemn tag (Z-tag) numbers (not the Z-tag itself); and 2
b. disposition information (i.e., the reason for condemnation under 9 CFR
Part 309).
B. Brain Sample Collection of Cattle Displaying CNS Symptoms
1. At Federally-inspected establishments not under the approved alternative
off-site sample collection program, FSIS Public Health Veterinarians (PHVs):
a. will collect appropriate BSE samples from cattle of all ages that display
CNS symptoms, or
b. will not collect the samples for BSE testing if the slaughter
establishment has made or plans to make arrangements with APHIS, whereby the
samples from cattle condemned for CNS symptoms will be collected at a
location other than on the official plant premises.
NOTE: Certain Alternative Off-Site Agreements that were in place during
Enhanced Surveillance may no longer be in effect and establishments will
need to initiate new agreements with APHIS and potential collectors.
III. FSIS PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Upon receipt of this notice, the FSIS PHV is to hold an awareness meeting
with the establishment. At this meeting, the FSIS PHV should ask the
management whether:
1. it is under APHIS' approved alternative off-site sample collection
program for collecting allocated samples (paragraph II. A.); and
2. if not, whether:
a. FSIS is to collect brain samples from cattle displaying CNS symptoms
(paragraph II. B. 1.a.); or
b. the establishment needs time to engage in making arrangements with APHIS
for the off-site brain sample collection of such cattle (paragraph II. B. 1.
b.).
B. If during the awareness meeting establishment management states that it
plans to work with APHIS to begin off-site sampling, until APHIS approves
that arrangement, or until FSIS is advised that an off-site agreement will
not be forthcoming, FSIS PHVs are to:
1. identify all CNS animals condemned on ante-mortem with a "U. S.
Condemned" tag;
2. contact the APHIS Area Veterinarian-In-Charge (AVIC) so the AVIC can
collect the brain sample;
3. ensure that the animals are humanely euthanized, unless APHIS requests
otherwise; and 3
4. not allow them to move off the premise of the establishment, unless APHIS
requests otherwise.
C. In a memorandum of interview (MOI), the FSIS PHV is to document who was
present at the awareness meeting, the date and time of the meeting, how the
establishment plans to proceed based on the choices set out in A. above, and
any documents shared with management.
D. If the establishment plans to work with APHIS to begin off-site sampling,
the FSIS PHV is to update the MOI as to whether an agreement was reached and
in general, what the agreement was.
E. The FSIS PHV is to maintain a copy of the memorandum of interview in the
official government file, provide a copy to the plant management, and
electronically mail a copy to the APHIS AVIC as changes occur.
IV. FSIS RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO APPROVED ALTERNATIVE OFF-SITE SAMPLE
COLLECTION
A. The FSIS PHV is to complete the condemnation form, FSIS Form 6000-13
(Certification of Ante-mortem or Post-mortem Disposition of Tagged Animals)
and FSIS Form 6150-1 (Identification Tag - Ante-mortem). The FSIS PHV should
pay special attention when providing a full description of the reason for
the condemnation on FSIS Form 6000-13 and fill out fully FSIS Form 6150-1.
B. Incoming animal identification, except the Z-tag, should be left on these
animals since it will be needed at the approved alternative off-site
collection location to fill out collection forms. Z-tags will be removed
prior to any carcasses leaving the official establishment.
NOTE: Information supplied to plant management to take to the approved
alternative off-site collection sites needs to be complete and accurate.
FSIS PHVs need to provide a full description of the reason for the
condemnation on FSIS Form 6000-13, APHIS will use this information to triage
which condemned animals are sampled.
V. FSIS SAMPLE COLLECTION FOR CATTLE DISPLAYING CNS SYMPTOMS
A. If the establishment does not have an agreement with APHIS for off-site
sampling of cattle with CNS symptoms, the FSIS PHV will collect the brain
samples from cattle showing signs of CNS symptoms. The FSIS PHV is to make
all final disposition decisions regarding whether to condemn cattle in
accordance with 9 CFR part 309.
NOTE: FSIS PHVs can also find information regarding BSE sampling (e.g.,
forms, sampling supply information) at:
Public Folders/All Public Folders/OFO/Technical Service Center/BSE Training
Info 4
B. The FSIS PHV, or the establishment under the supervision of the FSIS PHV,
should promptly remove the head in order to collect the brain sample. If the
establishment does not arrange to remove the head, the FSIS PHV may need to
collect the brain sample as a priority over other ante-mortem or post-mortem
procedures.
C. The FSIS PHV should collect the brain sample either in the inedible area
of the establishment or in another area set aside for such collection to
prevent the creation of an insanitary condition. Establishment personnel and
FSIS inspection program personnel are to take proper sanitary measures
before returning to edible areas of the establishment after brain sample
collection, in accordance with 9 CFR 416.5.
D. In situations where the FSIS PHV has missed the last FedEx pick-up for
the day, or the FSIS PHV collected the sample on a day when FedEx does not
pick up, the PHV is to refrigerate the samples until the next available
FedEx pick-up day. Remember, the sample is not to pass through or to be
stored in areas of the establishment where the establishment produces edible
product. The FSIS PHV is to maintain the sample's chain-of-custody.
E. The FSIS PHV is to verify the collection, documentation, and control of
all animal identification associated with cattle condemned during
ante-mortem inspection that are to be sampled by FSIS. The FSIS PHV is to
attach the "U. S. Condemned" tag to cattle condemned during ante-mortem
inspection in accordance with 9 CFR 309.13. This documentation will
facilitate traceback in the event that the sample result is positive for
BSE. The documentation should include records in accordance with 9 CFR
320.1.
F. The FSIS PHV is to verify that the presence of condemned cattle or parts
does not create insanitary conditions (9 CFR part 416). The establishment is
responsible for the disposal of the condemned cattle in accordance with 9
CFR part 314. The FSIS PHV also is to verify that the establishment
maintains records regarding the disposal of the condemned cattle in
accordance with 9 CFR 320.1.
G. Inspection program personnel may inform the establishment that it may
choose to hold the carcass and parts until testing results are available. If
the establishment chooses to dispose of any carcass or parts before it
receives test results, inspection program personnel are to advise the
establishment that it must dispose of the carcass in one of the following
ways: 1. render it at a facility for non-animal feed use (e.g., biofuel or
cement); 2. alkaline digestion; 3. incineration; or 4. lined land fills.
H. Documentation for Cattle Showing Signs of CNS Symptoms
1. For locations without high-speed internet connections, the FSIS PHV is to
forward the completed BSE Surveillance Information System (BSE-SIS) sample 5
collection sheets to the APHIS,VS office by FAX or by e-mail. The follow
site lists the VS office FAX numbers and e-mail where available:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/area_offices.htm
The APHIS AVIC in each area office may assist with sample delivery
verification and troubleshooting. The FSIS PHV can get copies of BSE-SIS
forms by contacting the local APHIS office.
2. The FSIS PHV is to enter the relevant information into the BSE-SIS at
locations with high-speed connections and proceed as instructed in the
training materials. FSIS PHVs may get the training from AgLearn or may
contact the District Office if they need a copy of the BSE Surveillance
Information System (BSE-SIS) training CD and for assistance in getting
permission to have access to BSE-SIS.
VI. TEST RESULTS FOR FSIS SAMPLING FROM CATTLE SHOWING CNS SYMPTOMS
The FSIS PHV will receive, by e-mail, a report from the AVIC on the BSE test
results. The AVIC will also send copies of the results to the District
Office.
1. If the test is negative (reported as "not detected"), any carcasses and
parts the establishment has held may be released for rendering or other
disposal in accordance with 9 CFR 314.
2. If the test is inconclusive, the FSIS PHV will receive supervisory
instruction on further actions.
3. For any sample confirmed positive for BSE, the FSIS PHV is to verify that
the establishment disposes of the carcasses and parts in the proper manner
as set out in paragraph V. G.
VII. eADRS PROCEDURES FOR FSIS SAMPLING FROM CATTLE SHOWING CNS SYMPTOMS
After sampling cattle showing signs of CNS symptoms, the FSIS PHV (or
designee) is to enter the relevant information for each sample into eADRS.
1. The FSIS PHV (or designee) is to enter each ante-mortem condemned animal
in eADRS under the applicable pathological condition.
2. For each relevant disease condition, in the "Add Daily Totals" window,
the FSIS PHV is to select the "Update BSE Details" button if FSIS sampled
one or more of the condemned animals for BSE. Selecting this button opens
the "Update BSE Details" screen.
3. On the "Update BSE Details" screen, the FSIS PHV is to enter the number
of animals sampled and the applicable "U.S. Condemned" Z-tag number for each
sampled animal.
4. After entering the relevant information, the FSIS PHV is to click the
"Save" button and proceed to the next disease condition. For additional
information on entering BSE sample information, refer to Section 7 of the
eADRS User Guide. VIII. RABIES In a rare situation, such as when an animal
is condemned by the FSIS PHV on ante-mortem for rabies, the FSIS PHV should
contact their District Office, who will advise APHIS. In these cases, APHIS
will see that the animal is tested for rabies. APHIS will work with the
laboratory to get appropriate samples forwarded for BSE surveillance from
rabies negative animals. Rabies vaccination of FSIS collectors is still
highly recommended. The voluntary rabies vaccination program details are
covered in FSIS Notice 29-04, Questions and Answers for FSIS Notice 28-04
Regarding Ante-Mortem Condemned Cattle. Refer questions regarding this
notice to the Policy Development Division through ask FSIS at
http://askfsis.custhelp.com or by telephone at 1-800-233-3935. Assistant
Administrator Office of Policy and Program Development
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/103-08.pdf
TALK about closing the barn doors after the mad cows got loose. This is new
years eve 2008 for Pete's sake. why do they even bother any more with their
BSE surveillance and testing farce (foolish show, modkery, a ridiculaous
sham) ???
TSS
snip...full text ;
http://bse-atypical.blogspot.com/2008/12/mad-cow-disease-usa-december-28-2008-8.html