SAFETY appears to have coincided with strategy in the recent announcement of strengthened Canadian feed regulations related to control of BSE. So much the better.
And the current Canadian Food Inspection Agency investigation of a potential sixth Canadian case of BSE, this one in Manitoba, underscores the need for measures like these, which are designed to eliminate BSE from the domestic herd.
As of July 12, 2007, just over one year from now, all specified risk materials, which prevailing science deems capable of transmitting BSE if derived from an infected animal, will not be allowed in any animal feed, pet food or fertilizer.
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Specifically, SRM includes the skull, brain, nerves attached to the brain, eyes, tonsils, spinal cord and nerves attached to the spinal cord from cattle older than 30 months, as well as a portion of the small intestine from cattle of all ages.
From a safety perspective, elimination of SRM from livestock feed, pet food and fertilizer should also eliminate any risk that BSE-infective materials will accidentally be fed to ruminants. In a perfect world, feed intended for one species is not fed to another. But accidents do happen, as does cross-contamination.
Traceouts from Canada’s first five cases of BSE indicate feed contamination as the most likely source, be it at farm or feed mill. So, even though removal of SRM from pet food and fertilizer seems to go beyond the precautions proscribed by science, it’s a preventive measure that should foster greater consumer confidence in feed regulations and food safety.
From a strategic standpoint, Canada’s enhanced regulations should give it a competitve edge. International markets should respond favourably to measures that improve beef safety.
When combined with Canada’s superior animal identification system, international beef markets should take notice.
The U.S. has yet to announce its new feed restrictions, though that is expected sometime this month. Industry rumour had it that Canada wanted to announce its new regulations before the U.S. for at least two reasons: the aforementioned competitive advantage and a desire to avoid the appearance of singing from the American songbook.
The drawback with the new regulations is increased costs for slaughter plants and renderers. That might in turn reduce margins for feedlots selling slaughter cattle.
Presumably this is the reason for the one-year’s grace in implementation, along with a federal government allocation of $80 million to assist the industry in complying with the new rules. Necessity being the mother of invention, perhaps innovative uses for the material can be found, beyond current disposal methods of incineration or burial.
Regardless, the new regulations should help solidify Canada’s position as a world leader in the production of safe and healthy beef.
