CALGARY, Alberta, July 12, 2007 - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture
and Agri-Food and Minister responsible for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA),
announced that effective today, certain cattle tissues that are capable of transmitting BSE,
known as specified risk material (SRM), are banned from all animal feed, pet food and
fertilizer.
"Canada's New Government, in partnership with provincial governments and the
industry, has taken a significant step towards accelerating the elimination of bovine
spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) from Canadian cattle," said Minister Strahl.
"These new measures will help increase access to foreign markets, and support
Canada's status as a controlled risk country for BSE from the World Organisation for
Animal Health (OIE)."
Under the enhanced feed ban, producers can no longer feed any animal products
containing SRM to livestock and abattoirs must properly identify SRM to ensure that it is
removed from the feed system. In addition, a permit from the Canadian Food Inspection
Agency (CFIA) is required to handle, transport or dispose of cattle carcasses and certain
cattle tissues. This system enables continuous control over SRM, so that it does not enter
the animal feed system.
The enhanced feed ban was first announced on June 26, 2006. Provincial governments,
stakeholder industry groups, including the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada, the
Canadian Cattlemen's Association and the Canadian Meat Council, and rendering operations
have provided invaluable leadership during the implementation period to achieve the
highest levels of readiness.
The effective implementation of Canada's enhanced feed ban will ensure the protection
of animal health, and strengthen the cattle and beef industry's markets in Canada and
abroad. Canada's New Government is committed to a future where BSE is eliminated from
Canada's cattle herds. Earlier, in May 2007, the World Organization for Animal Health gave
the official designation to Canada as a BSE Controlled Risk country.
In order to assist the industry to put in place the infrastructure for effective SRM
disposal, the federal government is investing $80 million in provincial SRM disposal
programs. Provincial SRM disposal programs are supported through 60:40 federal-provincial
cost-sharing agreements, which are now in place with most provinces.
Anyone who has questions
about the enhanced feed ban or the permit application process is urged to contact the CFIA
at 1-800-442-2342 or visit www.inspection.gc.ca/bse.
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Media Inquiries:
CFIA Media Relations, 613-228-6682
