"Canada's New Government, in partnership with provincial governments and the industry, has taken a significant step towards accelerating the elimination of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) from Canadian cattle," said Minister Strahl. "These new measures will help increase access to foreign markets, and support Canada's status as a controlled risk country for BSE from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)."

Under the enhanced feed ban, producers can no longer feed any animal products containing SRM to livestock and abattoirs must properly identify SRM to ensure that it is removed from the feed system. In addition, a permit from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is required to handle, transport or dispose of cattle carcasses and certain cattle tissues. This system enables continuous control over SRM, so that it does not enter the animal feed system.

The enhanced feed ban was first announced on June 26, 2006. Provincial governments, stakeholder industry groups, including the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada, the Canadian Cattlemen's Association and the Canadian Meat Council, and rendering operations have provided invaluable leadership during the implementation period to achieve the highest levels of readiness.

The effective implementation of Canada's enhanced feed ban will ensure the protection of animal health, and strengthen the cattle and beef industry's markets in Canada and abroad. Canada's New Government is committed to a future where BSE is eliminated from Canada's cattle herds. Earlier, in May 2007, the World Organization for Animal Health gave the official designation to Canada as a BSE Controlled Risk country.

In order to assist the industry to put in place the infrastructure for effective SRM disposal, the federal government is investing $80 million in provincial SRM disposal programs. Provincial SRM disposal programs are supported through 60:40 federal-provincial cost-sharing agreements, which are now in place with most provinces.

The CattleSite News Desk