BSE tests reveal no further cases

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Published: February 2, 2006

The investigation into Canada’s fourth case of BSE has found no other infection among animals from the same Alberta herd as the positive cow reported Jan. 23.

A Canadian Food Inspection Agency report said 24 animals from the farm were euthanized and all tested negative for BSE as of Jan. 27.

The trace-out of an additional 67 animals from the herd is also complete. One of these had previously tested negative for BSE under the national surveillance program.

Any other herd mates found alive will be euthanized and tested.

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The cross-bred cow’s 2005 calf tested negative and the search for the 2004 calf continues.

This most recent case prompted cattle producer groups from the western United States to demand a suspension of all beef trade with Canada until the investigation is completed.

More testing demanded

They charge that Canada does not test enough in comparison to the U.S. surveillance program.

“The prevalence of BSE in Canada is not clear and will not be until Canadian authorities adopt an aggressive surveillance program,” said the statement released Jan. 29.

Cattle Producers of Washington state, Colorado Independent Cattle Growers Association, Independent Beef Association of North Dakota, Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska, Montana Cattlemen’s Association, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, Oregon Livestock Producers Association and the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association made the joint statement.

The group wants assurances Canada’s ban on feeding ruminant meat and bonemeal back to ruminants is working.

It wants permission to allow cattle producers to blanket test cattle for BSE for domestic consumption and export purposes. It also requested mandatory country of origin labelling to be implemented immediately.

John Masswohl of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association said defending Canadian practices is an ongoing process.

“We are not moving backwards despite what this group of R-CALF affiliates would like,” he said in an interview.

R-CALF is an Montana-based cattle group that has been battling Canadian cattle and beef imports into the U.S. in court.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the largest cattle group in the U.S., maintain that Canada and the U.S. have the same BSE status, proportionately test the same amount of cattle and have had an equivalent feed ban in place since 1997. The U.S. reported it first domestic case last June.

Masswohl visited Washington, D.C., last week and hopes a rule is proceeding that will allow cattle and beef older than 30 months into the U.S.

“There is confidence in the controls we have and they do view this as a piece of the overall controls,” he said.

Masswohl said the number of countries resuming imports shows confidence in Canadian beef.

Mike Young of Canada Beef Export Federation said small amounts of Canadian beef are in transit to Japan.

“The problem has been getting enough age-verified cattle. It’s starting to trickle in, but it’s not significant,” he said.

Since the U.S. lost its ability to export to Japan more diligence is being shown on inspecting shipments leaving Canada, he said.

The coalition of U.S. cattle groups that is targeting Canadian cattle and beef also wants to stop trade with Japan, which halted U.S. beef exports after a New York company shipped veal racks rather than boneless ribs or strips. Japanese inspectors found the mistake Jan. 20 when three out of 41 boxes of frozen beef contained banned cuts.

So-called specified risk materials, such as bone-in meat and spinal cord material, are at higher risk for carrying the prions believed to cause BSE.

U.S. agriculture secretary Mike Johanns de-listed the plant’s export privileges pending an investigation and a team of senior agriculture officials left for Japan to work with the government and ensure shipments are in compliance with the export agreement.

In addition, South Korea suspended talks after Canada reported its most recent case. No word has been received when they might resume negotiations, said Young.

About the author

Barbara Duckworth

Barbara Duckworth

Barbara Duckworth has covered many livestock shows and conferences across the continent since 1988. Duckworth had graduated from Lethbridge College’s journalism program in 1974, later earning a degree in communications from the University of Calgary. Duckworth won many awards from the Canadian Farm Writers Association, American Agricultural Editors Association, the North American Agricultural Journalists and the International Agriculture Journalists Association.

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