OKOTOKS, Alta. – The case for testing export cattle for BSE is going before the Alberta Beef Producers at its annual meeting in December.
A resolution at an Okotoks zone meeting directed the organization to lobby the federal government for testing to broaden beef export opportunities to countries that want beef from cattle younger than 30 months.
Blackie producer Cam Ostercamp, who sponsored the resolution, said the debate has turned into a three year debacle.
“I can’t prove it’s going to work and you can’t prove it won’t,” he said.
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Some producers believe that refusing to test all export cattle for BSE keeps Canadian beef out of Japan, where all slaughter animals are tested. According to the world animal health organization, 29 cases have been confirmed in Japan since the Japanese government initiated testing nearly five years ago.
Glenn Brand, chief executive officer of the Beef Information Centre, said the United States didn’t request BSE testing when it resumed imports of young Canadian cattle and beef last year.
“If it were available for export consumers, people would expect it for here,” he said.
Canadians have not asked for it. Consumer surveys show a high level of confidence in the Canadian regulatory and food safety system. When asked about health concerns, they say they are more worried about high cholesterol and fat levels.
Fast food companies, which use mostly beef from cattle older than 30 months, have said testing is too costly and could place beef at a disadvantage against poultry and pork, Brand said.
ABP chair Darcy Davis said testing is not out of the question and producers need to watch the requirements outlined in a pending U.S. rule to allow imports of Canadian cattle and beef older than 30 months. So far, trading partners seem to accept the removal of infective tissue called specified risk materials as adequate protection.
“How do you test for market access if SRM removal is good enough for our consumers,” Davis said.
While Japan and Europe test all food animals for BSE, the practice has not been adopted in North America. Instead, high risk animals such as the diseased, dying, down and distressed are tested.
The U.S. has tested 787,711 samples since June 2004 and found two positive cases. For roughly the same period, Canada has tested 124,266 samples with seven positive cases. The first case was found in 2003.
In the United Kingdom, BSE positive cases peaked in 1992 at 37,280. So far this year, 83 have been confirmed. Earlier this year new British regulations said only cattle older than 30 months destined for human consumption must be tested for BSE. Only animals that test negative will be permitted into the food chain, while positive cases are destroyed.
