Mad Cow in Canada

The disease was discovered in a cow that died on a farm in the western province of British Columbia, said Dr George Luterbach, a senior veterinarian with CFIA.

The agency said the infection was detected as part of its ongoing surveillance program for mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and added that no part of the infected cow entered the human or animal food chain. A comprehensive investigation was launched immediately in an attempt to determine the birth farm of the animal.

The CIFA claims that Canada’s enhanced feed ban, introduced last summer, virtually eliminates the potential spread of BSE through the animal feed chain and places Canada on an accelerated path to eliminate BSE. As the level of BSE continues to decline, the periodic detection of a small number of cases is fully expected in line with the experience of other countries. Concurrently, Canada’s food safety system maintains the highest levels of human health protection.

The national surveillance program, which targets the highest risk animals, has tested more than 220,000 cattle since 2003. The program continues to benefit from very strong producer participation.

The detection of this animal does not affect Canada’s status as a BSE controlled risk country as recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

Further Reading

- You can visit our BSE information page by clicking here.

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