Possible Case BSE - Canada

[clancey]

I JUST HEARD A6 YEAR OLD COW FROM ALBERTA NO REASON TO PANIC
THINGS WILL GO NORMAL AS BEFORE.IN
CANADA WE HAVE TESTING PROTOCOL AND IS
OPEN NEWS TO THE PUBLIC
HAPPEND A LOT IN THE U-S-A BUT DON,T HEAR ABOUT!!!!!!

[clancey]

I JUST HEARD A6 YEAR OLD COW FROM ALBERTA NO REASON TO PANIC
THINGS WILL GO NORMAL AS BEFORE.IN
CANADA WE HAVE TESTING PROTOCOL AND IS
OPEN NEWS TO THE PUBLIC
HAPPEND A LOT IN THE U-S-A BUT DON,T HEAR ABOUT!!!!!!

[clancey]

There is a possiblity that this news will delay the OTM cattle entering the US according to the CBC this morning

[topper]

I just sold two loads at the Yorkton Heartland sale today. I was pretty nervous after hearing all the good news but the prices where at par or better than last weeks presort sale.

[blackjack]

...thats good news topper... would have to agree with emrald... it will be quite some time before we have otm's heading south...if feeder prices stay up that might not be a bad thing...maybe the plants in manitoba and spruce grove will receive more support...

[silverback]

Anyone want to hazard a comment as to how a 6 year old cow comes down with BSE? Born in 2000? Long time after MBM ban! Dairy Cow???

[cowman]

It will be interesting how they explain away a cow born 3 years after the feed ban? I doubt this cow ate any contaminated feed. Probably have to pull out the old "spontaneous" theory on this one?
If you've ever seen the vet take a sample for the rapid test, you have to wonder what is the big deal about testing? After the head comes off it maybe takes 15 seconds to cut out the sample! Test everything over 30 months and get on with it. What is the problem? Oh yea, I forgot the Americans are too damned lazy to bother to ID their cattle!
We decided this spring we will age verify all our cattle and RFID tag them. Of course we have the records to do that. If they ever get the live test thing out at a reasonable cost we'll probably do that too. Probably won't make us any money but then food safety rarely does! It's more about doing the right thing.

[Willowcreek]

Here are some more reactions to the Canadian BSE case- even the USDA spokesman are now saying this may affect the reopening of the border to OTM's..

---------------------------

January 24, 2006


BSE finding in Canada draws mixed response
By BECKY BOHRER
Associated Press

Confirmation of a new case of mad cow disease in Canada on Monday prompted calls by some U.S. cattle industry groups to halt cattle and beef trade until how the cow became infected is better understood. The U.S. secretary of agriculture said suspension of trade is unlikely.

The case, however, could affect whether the government proposes expanding such trade with Canada.

Canadian authorities on Monday confirmed the country's fourth case of mad cow disease since May 2003 - in a cow in Alberta. They said the animal, about 6 years old, reached neither the chain of food for humans nor animal feed systems.


U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, in a statement, said he anticipated no change in trade status, based on information provided by Canada's agriculture minister. But he said agency officials would monitor the situation and work with Canadian investigators.

"I am confident in the safety of beef and in the safeguards we and our approved trading partners have in place to protect our food supply," Johanns said.

The United States allows imports of Canadian beef and cattle under 30 months of age, with restrictions, U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman Ed Loyd said.

Still, some industry groups, such as the National Farmers Union, urged the suspension of beef and cattle trade until more answers about the case emerge. One concern is that the cow was born after Canada, in 1997, banned use of cattle protein in cattle feed. Mad cow disease, formally known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE, is believed to spread through feed with certain tissues from infected animals.

Some also question the extent of mad cow disease in the Canadian herd.

"I think this confirms some of the concerns we had all along, that they have a more severe problem in Canada than the U.S.," said Jim Magagna, executive vice president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association.

Chuck Kiker, president of R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America, believes the USDA acted too quickly to restore limited beef and cattle trade with Canada.

"We don't need to jeopardize the beef industry in the U.S. to save the Canadian industry," Kiker said. Last year his group sued to stop cattle and beef trade with Canada, because of mad cow cases there.

The United States has reported two cases of mad cow disease since December 2003, including one involving a cow from Canada.

The Canadian Cattlemen's Association and several U.S. industry trade groups, two of them representing meat packers, said the new mad cow case was not unexpected and points to the effectiveness of the safeguards and surveillance system in place.

The Canadian cattle group said that animal health officials worldwide have noted a likelihood of the detection of a "few additional" cases by that country's surveillance program.

Dr. Brian Evans, Canada's chief veterinary officer, added: "Nobody likes to find BSE, but it's important we actually look for it."

Canadian authorities said it is probable that contaminated feed is the cause of this case. An investigation is under way.

Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., said he will suggest the USDA slow the process of looking at whether to expand cattle and beef trade with Canada "until we know the situation up there." Some restrictions, including those on importation of older Canadian cattle, have been in place since May 2003.

Loyd said this case must be taken into account as officials consider whether to propose lifting restrictions.

[cowman]

Well thanks for the information Willowcreek. And thanks for telling us how sorry you are to hear we have this problem of our darned CFIA being honest! Always nice to know you have our best interests at heart....read my posts about your recent problems with Japan...and reflect on your attitude!
I am sure you are rubbing your hands with glee that you might be able to put a few more Canadian ranchers under!
It is fortunate that your secretary of agriculture seems to have a different view? Today is a different day?
Yesterday we voted in a Primeminister who is PRO-American! That must really distress all you Canada haters? You anti free enterprizers!!!!
I do believe finally we will have two governments who can talk to each other instead of calling each other bastards! Maybe finally we can get down to the meat instead of the bullshit of these trade problems?
Of course that won't satisfy you anti trade types? Or you anti Canada types? But you should be aware...you little protectionists types don't matter anymore.

[Willowcreek]

Boy cowman- You sure are in a cheery, friendly mood...I guess you don't want to know what is being said in the local news down here...

You notice, I hope, that it isn't only R-CALF expressing their concerns- even have USDA officials saying this will have a factor on the border regulations...I'm not sure Johanns is going to get much support with trying to open the border to OTM's, now...May even be another Congressional action blocking it....

As far as I'm concerned, this hasn't changed my opinion one bit--I still think the USDA and FDA need to put in all the feedban rules to protect the US herd- and the USDA needs to implement the M-COOL law so that consumers have a choice to protect the US citizens- Then open her up...

But I forgot- Canadians don't want COOL because they are afraid it won't sell unless marked with the USDA stamp and passed off as a US product- again riding on the shirtails of the industry the US cattle producer built...