Ottawa - The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced that Canada has been formally acknowledged as a country with negligible risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) World Assembly of Delegates. Canada has attained the most desired status under the OIE's three-tiered categorization system for assessing BSE risk by attaining this recognition.
Since the first domestic incidence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or better known as mad cow disease, was found in Canada in 2003, beef producers and the federal government have been attempting to restore the industry's lustre. That discovery prompted a worldwide ban on Canadian beef exports, a major setback for an industry that exports about half of its production. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association estimated the losses at upwards of $5 billion over the following three years.
By gaining and retaining negligible BSE risk status, Canada strengthens its negotiating position in its effort to secure access to additional export markets for Canadian cattle, beef, and beef products among countries that need products to originate from nations with minimal BSE risk. A vast majority of Canada's major export markets have already approved all Canadian beef based on Canada's previous controlled risk status.
To submit a convincing and credible submission to the OIE, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) worked closely with provinces and the beef industry. These initiatives highlight the necessity of working together to achieve the greatest possible outcome for Canada. Through continued efforts in preventing and managing the spread of domestic and foreign animal illnesses, the CFIA will continue to engage with the cattle and beef sectors, provinces, and territories to preserve the negligible risk status.