Canada announced another positive BSE test this week. Last week a positive result was announced on a cow nearly old enough to vote. This week’s unlucky winner, however, was only 50 months old – born well after the implementation of the 1997 ban on feeding ruminant by-products. This case will probably greatly complicate efforts by US and Canadian officials to resume trade in animals over 30 months of age. It may also complicate negotiations with the South Koreans over US beef imports. Even before this BSE announcement, Korean officials had expressed concerns about the fact that Canadian and US beef is not segregated by packers.