More BSE from the Alberta Cluster Area?

[Oldtimer]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/s ... TopStories

OTTAWA — Federal agriculture inspectors are looking into the possibility of another case of mad cow disease, a spokesman for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Sunday.

"We have an ongoing testing program for BSE and that means from time to time we undertake confirmatory tests when we come up with a suspicious sample," said Mark Van Dusen.

"We are undergoing such testing on a suspicious sample."

Van Dusen said the animal must go to a Winnipeg lab for final tests. Inspectors should know within 48 hours if they have another case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy on their hands.

He said there are no indications that any part of the animal entered the human-food or animal-feed systems.

Canada's beef and dairy cattle breeding industry remains shut out of American markets since BSE was discovered in an Alberta cow in May 2003.

The Americans reopened their border to young cattle last July after the two-year ban brought on by fear of mad cow disease.

When that happened, many people believed the crisis, which has cost Canada's cattle industry more than $7 billion, was finally over.

But Canada has a surplus of about 900,000 older-cull cattle that can't be shipped south because of lingering concerns they may harbour a risk of BSE.

Van Dusen couldn't confirm the age of the animal currently being tested but said it is definitely older than 30 months. Younger cattle are believed to have a lower risk of developing BSE.

He said he is aware of rumours the animal is from Alberta.

 

[SimmAngus]

At least it did not enter the food supply, I think that would have been rough on our industry.

 

[diamondn]

It is only a possible BSE. Same as the USA had a few times, which tested out to be negative.

We shall have to wait to hear the results.

 

[MikeC]

It is only a possible BSE. Same as the USA had a few times, which tested out to be negative.

We shall have to wait to hear the results.

It was confirmed this morning. Positive.

 

[diamondn]

Oops missed that announcement. Thanks

 

[cowboyFFA_09]

whats japan saying to it. man that sucks that they found that. now theyll have the public in an uproar. and we were about to sell some calves to. hope theres no decline on the price.
Millerlite :cboy:

 

[Oldtimer]

The really bad thing is that the news is now reporting this as a 6 year old dairy cow from Alberta--Meaning it was born POST feed ban- meaning this is the 2nd POST feed ban born to come from Alberta- a cluster area thats originated 6 positives now....

And yet R-CALF was chastised when they reported that their investigations had found some huge holes in the Canada feed ban-especially in feed from some Alberta feed suppliers....

 

[frenchie]

And yet R-CALF was chastised when they reported that their investigations had found some huge holes in the Canada feed ban-especially in feed from some Alberta feed suppliers....

Ot...They were chastised because the U.S has just as many holes

As well The F.D.A found 1200 U.S feed companies in violation of S.R.M (feed ban rules )in 2003

 

[SimmAngus]

Local markets here saying feeder sales steady $1 to $3 lower from fridays market.

 

[Victoria]

Mad cow case found in Alberta

CTV.ca News Staff


Mon. January. 23 2006 3:13 PM ET

The United States has no plans to stop Canadian cattle imports after a six-year-old cow in Alberta tested positive for mad cow disease.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said he does not expect any change in the status of beef or live cattle imports from Canada.

Johanns said in a statement Monday that he's confident about the safety of beef and in the safeguards the U.S. and its trading partners have in place to protect the food supply.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the latest case of mad cow disease Monday.

No parts of the animal were processed for the human food system, CFIA chief veterinary officer Dr. Brian Evans told a news conference in Alberta.

"This animal was detected on the farm where it was born and no part of this animal entered the food for human consumption or feed for animal consumption purposes systems," Evans said.

The new case comes a day after federal agriculture inspectors sent what was termed a "suspicious sample" to a Winnipeg lab for further testing.

Describing the test results as "unwelcome but not unexpected," Evans insisted the Canadian food supply was "safe."

"The entire carcass has been contained by the CFIA," he told reporters, adding the age of the animal was the "critical issue."

"It's age and geographic location are consistent with Canada's previous BSE cases detected under our national surveillance program."

Stan Eby, president of the 90,000-member Canadian Cattlemen's Association, played down the new case, saying it would have "very little impact" on the industry.

"The BSE biology is much better understood now than it was in 2003. We've realized it's not a human health problem. It's an animal health situation," he told reporters Monday.

Eby said Canada had so far tested more than 70,000 cattle.

"With our active surveillance program we knew we would find a few more cases, so this should not come as any shock to our open markets," he added.

It's the fourth such case in Canada since the first one was discovered in May 2003 in Alberta. A U.S. animal that tested positive for BSE two years ago also came from Alberta.

 

[buckaroo_bif]

Here is what I was just reading on the subject

BSE Case detected in Canada



A new case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has been discovered in Canada, officials confirmed today.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has reported the disease in an approximately 6-year-old, crossbred cow born and raised in Alberta. According to reports, the animal did not enter the human food or animal feed systems.

Alberta officials have launched a comprehensive investigation into the feeding regimen and storage practices of the farm where the BSE-infected cow was discovered, CFIA stated in a release. The agency will now work to identify offspring of the affected animal, as well as cattle born on the farm within 12 months before and after the affected animal. Any live animals found from these groups will be segregated and tested, according to CFIA.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns said he does not anticipate changes in the status of beef or live cattle imports to the U.S. from Canada.

"As I've said many times, our beef trade decisions follow internationally accepted guidelines that are based in science," Johanns said. "I am confident in the safety of beef and in the safeguards we and our approved beef trading partners have in place to protect our food supply. We will continue to adhere to international guidelines in our relationships with all trading partners, and my hope continues to be that we achieve a system of science-based global beef trade."

Johanns said the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will work with Canada and its investigative team and continue to evaluate the situation as the investigation continues.

Johanns' reaction to the news was mirrored by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA).

"While this is unfortunate news, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association does not expect this case to affect the beef trade status between the United States and Canada or other countries," said Terry Stokes, NCBA chief executive officer (CEO). "We believe the United States should continue to engage in trade that is consistent with the international standards outlined by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and we expect countries that trade with us to do the same.

 

[Beefy]

pattern.