What controls are currently in place to safeguard against BSE?
• Canada has had the benefit of years of lessons learned in Europe on Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). • We have already put in place the strategies and controls to minimize the potential for the introduction and spread of BSE in Canada. For example: • Since 1990, BSE has been a reportable disease in Canada. This means that any suspected case must be reported to a federal veterinarian. • We have a ruminant-to-ruminant feeding ban. This means that Canada does not allow the rendered carcasses of ruminants – such as sheep, goats, cattle, deer and elk – and mink to be fed to ruminants. This eliminates the major transmission vector of BSE and other diseases. • Canada also has the Canadian Cattle Identification Program for cattle and bison, making it possible to trace individual animal movements from the herd of origin to slaughter. • Canada’s BSE surveillance system doubles the rate recommended testing rate set by international standards. Since 1993, Canada has tested approximately 1
