OTTAWA, March 3, 2006 - The Canadian Food Inspection
Agency (CFIA) has concluded its investigation into the case of bovine spongiform
encephalopathy (BSE) confirmed on January 22, 2006. No additional cases of the
disease were detected during the investigation.
The investigation traced two of the affected animal's
offspring and 156 cattle born on the farm of origin within 12 months before and
after the affected animal's birth.
The CFIA considered several potential sources of infection,
of which contaminated feed was the most probable. Investigators examined what
the affected animal may have consumed early in its life when cattle are most
susceptible to the BSE agent. Although a definitive origin could not be
confirmed, the CFIA believes that the animal's feed was likely contaminated
during its manufacture, transport or storage. This conclusion is consistent with
the experiences of most BSE-affected countries where BSE continues to be
detected, in diminishing numbers, in animals born after the implementation of
feed controls.
Canada's feed ban is designed to limit BSE spread and
eventually eradicate the disease, despite the potential occurrence of random
cases over time. The CFIA is committed to continuously improve Canada's BSE
safeguards and, in line with this goal, will further strengthen its capacity to
verify that the feed ban is being properly applied in commercial feed mills and
rendering plants.
In addition, education and awareness activities will continue and be enhanced to remind renderers, feed mills, transporters, feed retailers and cattle producers of their responsibilities under the feed ban. The campaign builds on previous communications to industry and will emphasize the importance of consistently and strictly applying controls to limit feed contamination at the production, retail and farm levels.
Food safety is protected through the removal of specified
risk materials (SRM) from every animal slaughtered in Canada for human
consumption. SRM are those tissues that, in infected cattle, are known to
harbour the BSE agent. This key safeguard is internationally recognized as the
most effective way to protect public health from BSE.
The CFIA has proposed regulatory amendments to the feed ban
that would also remove SRM from all animal feeds. These enhancements would allow
Canada to more rapidly eradicate BSE by futher reducing the risk of
contamination in the feed production system and on farms.
A complete summary of the investigation is available on the
CFIA's Website.
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For information:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media Relations: (613) 228-6682
Main Page - BSE in
North America
