July 13, 2006

Alberta cow tests positive for BSE

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a 50-month-old dairy cow from Alberta. The animal was first reported on Monday, July 10, based on preliminary test results. The entire carcass has been incinerated and did not enter the human or animal feed systems.
The CFIA has located the birth farm, and investigators are tracing other cattle born on the premises within 12 months before or after the birth of the affected animal.
Given its age, the affected animal was exposed to BSE after the 1997 implementation of Canada’s feed ban. This scenario, as well as the animal’s age, is consistent with the experiences of most countries reporting cases of BSE. Nonetheless, a full accounting and determination of how this animal was exposed to BSE will be the primary focus of the CFIA’s investigation. The CFIA has extended an invitation to American animal health officials to participate in this effort. Canadian Food Inspection Agency

July 15, 2006

Japan - US - Beef

Japanese customs officials spotted a box of banned beef products in a shipment of turkey and ham from the United States, Japan's Agriculture Ministry said Friday.

A box containing 15.4 pounds of American roast beef was spotted on Monday as part of a shipment of more than 3,000 boxes containing turkey and ham imported from the United States, the ministry said in a statement. SignonSan Diego.com

July 15, 2006

Creekstone files for OK to test for mad cow

John Stewart, chief executive and founder of Arkansas City, Kansas, based Creekstone Farms was cited as saying Friday that even if Japan accepts U.S. beef, his company should still be allowed to test all its cattle for mad cow disease to help grow the Japanese market and that testing "will help us instill confidence in our consumers. We still know that consumers there are skittish on U.S. beef." The Wichita Eagle