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BSE INVESTIGATION ON JANUARY 2 CASE CONCLUDES

OTTAWA, January 21, 2005 — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency today announced the conclusion of its investigation into the case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) detected on January 2, 2005. The investigation has fully traced the birth cohort, recently born offspring and feed to which the affected animal may have been exposed early in its life.

Nine animals from the birth cohort have tested negative for BSE. One other birth cohort animal had tested negative in November 2004. Most of the remaining animals have been confirmed to have previously died or been slaughtered.

According to Health Canada, the food safety risk associated with animals slaughtered before 2003 should be considered extremely remote. The prevalence of BSE in North America is low and the vast majority of cattle slaughtered in Canada are young cows, considerably less likely to develop infective levels of the disease. All cattle exhibiting symptoms consistent with BSE have been, and continue to be, diverted from the food system. In regards to birth cohort risk, international research shows that finding more than one case of BSE in a birth cohort is rare.

The offspring component of the investigation determined that all calves of interest had died of causes unrelated to BSE. The feed line of inquiry confirmed that the affected animal was exposed to feed containing ruminant meat and bone meal that was produced before the 1997 feed ban.

Canada’s ability to quickly exhaust all lines of inquiry clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of the systems in place to respond to BSE. It also reflects the commitment to food safety stewardship and diligent record keeping of cattle producers and industry representatives that have assisted in this investigation.

The investigation into the January 11 case is ongoing. Test results on 33 of the birth cohort animals have been received and all were negative for BSE. The Agency will be undertaking a review of the implementation of Canada’s feed ban. This process is now underway and a report on the results will be released by the end of February.

Beginning the week of January 24, officials from the United States Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration will also conduct a review of Canada’s feed controls. This body of work will, where practical, proceed in concert with the Canadian review, but the two exercises are not explicitly linked.

More information will be provided at a technical briefing to be held on Monday, January 24th at 2:00 p.m. at the Press Gallery Theatre, 150 Wellington Street, Ottawa. Reporters from Canada and the U.S. can dial in at 1-888-265-0464. International reporters can dial in at (613) 954-4096.

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For information:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media relations: (613) 228-6682

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