BSE Prevention and Control Systems

Canada’s BSE prevention and control systems have been developed in accordance with the recommendations made by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

In this section:

Human Health Controls
Animal Health Controls

Human Health Controls

In Canada, federal law requires the removal of all specified risk materials (SRMs) from beef carcasses and prohibits the export and use of SRMs in food for human consumption. Scientific research has shown that BSE infectivity is concentrated in specific tissues of an animal which have been defined as SRMs. Canada removes all tissues from cattle which are classified as SRMs by the OIE. Controls for advanced meat recovery systems have also been implemented in accordance with OIE recommendations.

Animal Health Controls

The National Cattle Identification System supports the containment and eradication of BSE through its trace back capabilities. Canada is the first country in North America to have this type of system. Canada controls imports of animals from countries that have had BSE cases, and has banned live cattle imports from regions that have had BSE epidemics since 1990. As less than one milligram of feed containing infective material can transmit BSE to cattle, Canada has implemented a total ban on SRM material in fertilizer or in feed for any type of animal. This measure is in addition to the ban on feeding ruminant meat and bone meal (MBM) to cattle previously implemented in Canada and the USA. Canada maintains an ongoing targeted^* BSE surveillance program in accordance with OIE standards, and continues to develop scientific expertise in testing methods.

^* A targeted surveillance program focuses testing on animals more likely to contract BSE.

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