Second Cow Tests Positive for BSE in Canada
By George Anderson
Just days after the United States announced plans to reopen its market to Canadian beef, a cow from a herd in Alberta tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease.
The animal found to have BSE was an older dairy cow, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. New rules for admitting live cattle from Canada would restrict imports to cows under 30 months of age.
In announcing its new rules for Canadian imports, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Secretary Ann Veneman said, “After conducting an extensive review, we are confident that imports of certain commodities from regions of minimal risk can occur with virtually no risk to human or animal health.”
The Bush Administration intends to proceed with its plan to reopen the U.S. market to Canadian beef on March 7, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.
Moderator’s Comment: Will the announcement that a second mad cow case has been discovered in Canada and that the U.S. intends to reopen its market to
Canadian beef lead to consumers questioning if the federal government is protecting the welfare of its citizenry?
Because the potential exists for such questioning to take place, it is important the Bush Administration make clear that, under its new guidelines, the
cow discovered to have BSE would not have been eligible for import into the U.S. even if it had not been found to have contracted the disease. As we understand it, the Canadian
dairy cow was above the age limit for import. –
George Anderson – Moderator