BSE latest

[Kevster]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4166417.stm

Tuesday, 11 January, 2005, 21:41 GMT

Canada reports third mad cow case

This is Canada's third case of the brain-wasting disease
Canada says it has uncovered a new case of mad cow disease.
Its Food Inspection Agency reported the case in the western province of Alberta but said no part of the cow had entered the human or animal food chains.

The cow, born after Canada tightened feed restrictions in 1997, was not linked to another instance of the disease announced earlier this month.

The new case is Canada's third home-grown case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

The inspection agency is investigating what the animal, born in March 1998, may have been fed early in its life, and the source of the feed.

The agency said feed produced before the new rules came into force was the most likely source of BSE infection.

'Minimal risk'

The US closed its border to Canadian beef in May 2003 after a cow in Alberta tested positive for BSE.

But it recently announced it would resume conditional imports in March of live Canadian cattle aged under 30 months.

An assessment team from the US agriculture department (USDA) is to visit Canada to determine whether the two recent cases of BSE should affect that ruling.

The US recently declared Canada a "minimal risk" region, paving the way for the resumption of live cattle trade.

Ron DeHaven, an inspection administrator for the USDA, said he remained "confident" about Canada's measures to prevent BSE.

Scientists believe humans can contract a deadly brain-wasting disease by consuming beef products from cows with BSE.

[feline01]

Yeah, 3rd case . And none in the US . The meat industry relies on the ignorance of the general public and they have rewarded nicely for that ignorance .

Gee, wonder why Alzheimer's cases have been increasing tremendously during the last 10 years or so in the US? Must just be a coincidence (said laden with heavy sarcasm).

[Kevster]

Aye