THE passing of each day makes the search for a way to unlock normal cattle and beef trade more urgent.
Increasingly, some believe the key is to test slaughter animals for BSE.
In Canada the most organized proponent is the Beef Initiative Group Canada, which proposes a large, producer-owned slaughter plant that would use BSE testing to regain markets in Asia and elsewhere.
It says Canada’s rejection of testing on scientific grounds misses the point.
Science is important, but no democratic country’s government can ignore public opinion.
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In Japan, the public reacted to BSE with panic, so the government there responded with a risk-minimizing program of universal testing. It has rejected Canadian and American imports until they have similar testing.
BIG says if Japan wants testing and is willing to pay for it, then Canada should provide it, regardless of the scientific advisability. It adds that testing would help the Canadian beef industry sever its reliance on the American market, allowing it to break into new markets that want the extra security.
Its argument is appealing, but so too is the one against universal testing, backed by the Canadian and U.S. governments and top officials at the Office International des Epizooties, the world animal health body.
They say the real guarantor of meat safety is not testing, but removal of specified risk material such as brains and spines that can harbour the disease, and restrictions on what can be fed to cattle to prevent its spread.
Also, they note the disease is undetectable in animals younger than 24 months so there is no scientific reason to test young animals.
They also worry that once testing is available in certain export markets, North American consumers will also demand it and then all packers will have to test. Judging by experience, the cost will be borne by producers, they add.
Last week, the case against universal testing was strengthened when the Japanese members of the Japan-U.S. beef expert working group acknowledged that it is not always possible to detect BSE in young cattle. This appeared to set the stage for an agreement that will reopen the Japanese market to North American beef. Possible terms for resuming exports will be discussed at the group’s meeting later this month.
This is encouraging and signifies that it is not yet time to endorse universal BSE testing in Canada. The preference is to negotiate trade resumption without resorting to pointless, costly tests.
However, if this development does not evolve into a breakthrough, Canada must begin a new strategy to reopen markets by whatever means necessary. The beef industry and Ottawa should then seriously investigate the proposals of BIG and the implications of testing.
