Canadian BSE Case Update

It’s been nearly two weeks since the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed a new case of BSE in a beef cow from Alberta. More has been learned about the cow. the CFIA has reported the affected animal was born in March 2009, 21 months after the July 2007 implementation of the enhanced feed ban in Canada. The CFIA has confirmed the location of the birth farm. And also confirmed that both the birth and index farm are located in northern Alberta near Edmonton.
Field Reporter Greg Martin has more
Martin: “As part of its ongoing investigation, the CFIA will determine the source of the feed used at the birth farm in 2009 and assess any potential risk factors in relation to the feeds used. CFIA inspectors will also review the records of the feed mills from which the feeds were sourced to verify compliance with the enhanced feed ban. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association said in a statement, “This feed information is key to pinpointing the source of transmission. The average incubation period for classical BSE is 4-7 years of age. Transmission usually occurs in the first year of an animal’s life, as that is when they are most susceptible; thus the exposure to any residual risk would have occurred years ago.”
Since the discovery South Korea, Peru, Indonesia, and Belarus have temporary banned imports of Canadian beef. Earlier this week Taiwan became the fifth country to do so.