OTTAWA , January 23, 2006 - The Canadian
Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) today confirmed bovine spongiform
encephalopathy (BSE) in an approximately six-year-old cross-bred
cow born and raised in Alberta . No part of the animal entered
the human food or animal feed systems.
This
finding is not unexpected and was identified through Canada
's national surveillance program, which targets cattle at
highest risk of being infected with BSE. The program has
tested more than 87,000 animals since Canada 's first BSE
case in 2003.
The
geographic location and age of this animal are consistent
with the three domestic cases previously detected through
the national BSE surveillance program and the current understanding
of BSE in Canada . The clustering of these cases is examined
in the epidemiological report, Canada's
Assessment of the North American BSE Cases Diagnosed from
2003 to 2005 (Part II), which is available
on the CFIA's Website.
Food
safety remains protected through the removal of specified
risk material (SRM) from all cattle slaughtered for human
food in Canada . SRM are tissues that, in infected cattle,
contain the BSE agent. This measure is internationally recognized
as the most effective means to protect public health from
BSE.
The
CFIA, working collaboratively with the producer and the
Province of Alberta , has launched a comprehensive investigation
into the feeding regime and storage practices employed on
the farm, as well as the production and source of feeds
delivered to the farm. Consistent with international standards,
the CFIA will identify cattle born on the farm within 12
months before and after the affected animal, as well as
offspring of the affected animal born during the last two
years. Any live animals found from these groups will be
segregated and tested.
Definitive
conclusions regarding the source of infectivity cannot be
made until the investigation is complete; however, it is
probable that the source is contaminated feed. This scenario
is consistent with Canada 's previous experience and that
of the international community. Although the first evidence
of BSE in the Canadian herd was in May 2003 and this recent
animal would have become infected with the disease prior
to that time, this case does support the need for Canada
to continue to move towards enhancing the current feed ban.
In December 2004, there was a formal call for comments on
the draft regulations through Canada Gazette, which have
been the subject of extensive consultations with the provinces
and industry. The CFIA has completed its analysis and is
prepared to provide advice to the government on next steps.
Canada
has a suite of safeguards that work together to systematically
limit the risks to animal and public health associated with
BSE. These measures include import controls, surveillance
of the national cattle herd and the removal of potentially
harmful tissues from all animals slaughtered for human consumption.
Of principal importance from an animal health perspective
is Canada 's feed ban, which is designed to limit BSE spread
and eradicate the disease over time. Analysis of previous
Canadian investigations and surveillance results to date
continue to indicate that Canada 's feed ban is working
as intended to effectively reduce BSE risks to animal health
through a robust compliance and enforcement strategy. Our
experiences related to the feed ban and finding cases born
after the feed ban are in keeping with other countries.
This
detection is consistent with a low level of disease and
does not indicate an increased risk of BSE in Canada . Based
on the guidelines and certification recommendations of the
World Organization for Animal Health, this finding should
not affect Canada 's ability to export live animals, beef
and beef products. Canada has notified its key trading partners,
including the United States . Since May 2003, Canada has
clearly stated the possibility of finding a small number
of additional BSE cases. This international dialogue will
continue as Canadian officials work closely with their international
counterparts to ensure the facts and supporting science
of this case are shared in an open and timely manner.
As
the investigation progresses, the CFIA will provide Canadians
with regular updates. Information will be posted to the
CFIA's Website as it becomes available.
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