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The
Canadian Food Inspection Agency is launching a communications
campaign to raise awareness of new safeguards intended to
accelerate the elimination of bovine spongiform encephalopathy
from Canadian cattle.
Beginning July 12, specified risk materials for the disease
will be banned from all animal feeds, pet foods and fertilizers
in order to avoid the risk of inadvertent cross-contamination
of feed on farms and ranches, among other objectives. As
a result, new requirements will be in place for anyone handling,
transporting or disposing of SRMs, including producers,
processors and renderers, as well as fertilizer, pet food
and feed manufacturers.
The rule purports to reduce the risk of BSE infection by
99.8 percent, as compared to 90 percent current regulations.
In addition to distributing booklets, brochures and posters,
CFIA is hosting technical workshops for regulated parties,
and placing public notices in agricultural publications
and community newspapers across Canada.
Campaign materials explain that SRM must be clearly identified
and appropriately managed until disposal, and that a CFIA
permit is required for anyone handling, transporting or
disposing of SRM. There are also specific labeling requirements
for any products containing prohibited material.
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