posted on January 12, 2005 11:44:23 AM new
Canada confirms third mad cow case
By FT Reporters in New York
Published: January 11 2005 19:22 | Last updated: January 11 2005 19:22
Canadian veterinary officials said on Tuesday they had confirmed a third case of native mad cow disease, in a development that could threaten US plans to reopen its border to Canadian cattle imports.
The announcement follows confirmation of a second case of the disease, known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on January 2.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said its surveillance program detected the disease in an Alberta beef cow just under seven years of age. The agency said no part of the animal had entered the human food or animal feed systems.
The statement said that preliminary information suggested that cattle feed infected with BSE before a 1997 ban on the use of rendered animal products in feed, was the most likely source of infection in the animal. However, the animal was born shortly after the ban was implemented.
The US Agriculture Department said it was sending a team of experts to Canada to investigate and would take any appropriate steps if needed.
The latest case could complicate US plans to relax a ban on imports of Canadian cattle that was imposed in 2003 after Canada confirmed its first case of the disease. The USDA is curently planning to allow the resumption of imports of young cattle under 30 months of age in March.
The CFIA said that the lastest case had been found under its recently enhanced testing system for cattle.“ Additional cases may be found as testing of high-risk cattle continues,” it said.
