Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) is continuing to monitor the developments surrounding a confirmed case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a beef cow in Alberta.
Although any case of BSE is a concern, MBP is encouraged that the various protocols in place led to the discovery and display the strength of Canada’s BSE surveillance program.
“That the animal was found through the national BSE surveillance program shows the program is working,” said Manitoba Beef Producers President Heinz Reimer.
Thursday’s case is the first since 2011. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is continuing to investigate but has confirmed that no part of the animal’s carcass entered the human food or animal feed systems.
With respect to trade, this new case of BSE is not expected to affect Canadian exports of cattle or beef and Canada will continue to be recognized as a controlled BSE risk country by the World Organization for Animal Health.
