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APHIS to investigate newest Canadian BSE case before deciding the "appropriate next steps"...
By Lana Robinson
Field Editor
Following the announcement by Canadian officials that two more cows tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), Dr. Ron DeHaven, administrator for USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, said the U.S. would do its own investigation of the facts.
"Today, Canada announced that a six year, nine-month-old cow has tested positive for BSE," DeHaven stated on Jan. 11. "We remain confident that the animal and public health measures that Canada has in place to prevent BSE, combined with existing U.S. domestic safeguards, provide the utmost protections to U.S. consumers and livestock.
"However, since this animal was born shortly after the implementation of Canada's feed ban and to determine if there are any potential links among the positive animals, we will expedite sending a technical team to Canada to evaluate the circumstances surrounding these recent finds. We appreciate Canada's willingness to cooperate and assist us in these efforts. We will continue our ongoing work with Canadian officials in their epidemiological investigations to determine the facts of these cases.
"As always, protection of public and animal health is our top priority. The result of our investigation and analysis will be used to evaluate appropriate next steps in regard to the minimal risk rule published last week."
DeHaven was referring to USDA's extensive risk review that led to its decision to establish conditions under which it will allow imports of live cattle under 30 months of age and certain other commodities from regions with effective BSE prevention and detection measures. Based on the review, the U.S. planned to reopen its borders to Canadian cattle in this category on March 7, 2005. On Jan. 4, after the detection of the second case of mad cow disease—and before the third—was found in Canada (since May 2003), outgoing USDA Secretary Ann Veneman told reporters, "It would be hard for me to envision at this point the process not moving forward as has been announced." Veneman based her statement on the fact that the diseased animal was born in October 1996, before its feed ban was implemented. USDA has said that adequate safeguards are in place on both sides of the border to stop the spread of mad cow disease.
Bilateral cattle and beef trade expansion was sidetracked with the discovery of Canada's first domestic case of mad cow disease in 2004. The plan could still hit a snag. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., said Canada's latest BSE case raises "serious questions" regarding Canada's compliance with its feed ban.
Chambliss said the committee will hold a hearing the first week of February on the Canadian beef and cattle import plan, as requested by Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont.
While the Bush administration is sticking with its plans for now to reopen the Canadian border to some live cattle imports effective March 7, it left the door open for a policy change.
Again, DeHaven emphasized the agency will investigate the newest Canadian BSE case before deciding the "appropriate next steps" in regard to its border plan.
Two farm groups, R-CALF USA and the National Farmers Union, have challenged the USDA's plan.
Veneman said the agency's approach is consistent with guidelines established by the World Organization for Animal Health, or OIE, and relies on "appropriate, science-based risk mitigation measures."
Animals must include permanent marking as to their origin, and are required to be moved in sealed containers to a feedlot or to slaughter. They are not allowed to move to more than one feedlot while in the U.S., Veneman said.
USDA concluded that Canada meets the requirements for a minimal-risk region. The designation of any future countries as minimal-risk regions will be accomplished through rulemaking procedures following completion of an appropriate risk assessment.
A Factsheet and Question and Answer document on this issue can be found on the APHIS home page at www.aphis.usda.gov/.
