Government officials are assuring jittery cattle producers already humbled by drought this year that the discovery of a case of atypical BSE on an Alberta ranch shouldn’t affect export markets.
Atypical BSE varies from the classical variant because it’s not connected to contaminated feed. Classical BSE caused widespread export market closures after it was first found in Canada in 2003.
The atypical variant occurs rarely in older cattle. The Alberta case was identified in an eight-and-a-half-year-old beef cow.
No quarantine or other restrictions have been placed on the source ranch due to the atypical nature of the case, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
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The animal was euthanized on farm and did not enter the food chain, according to CFIA.
Canfax senior analyst Brian Perillat said he does not anticipate negative market impacts or changes to Canada’s BSE negligible risk status with the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE).
“The atypical (variant) doesn’t change that BSE risk status at all,” said Perillat. “We’re not anticipating any real market interruptions.”
China did temporarily stop imports of Brazilian beef products this fall after that country reported two cases of atypical BSE in early September and Montana senator John Tester called on the United States to do the same.
Brazil didn’t lose its negligible risk status.
“I think there were some other political or transparency issues around that case,” said Perillat. “But there is always that chance someone is going to react to it in an unexpected way.”
China partially lifted the import ban on Brazil earlier this month.
Tester introduced legislation in the U.S. Congress in November calling for a suspension of Brazilian beef imports.
While Tester recognized the rare nature of atypical BSE, he took issue with Brazil’s delayed reporting of the cases.
Perillat said Canada’s reporting of its atypical case came quickly.
He cautioned news of Canada’s case is still fresh and it’ll be several days before this country sees any possible ramifications.
“With it being atypical, there shouldn’t be any but it gets political sometimes.”
The last North American case of atypical BSE was reported in a mixed-breed beef cow in Florida in 2018.
Canada’s last case of classic BSE was reported in 2015.
The Alberta government and CFIA are highlighting the quick identification of the recent case as a success for Canada’s BSE surveillance system.
