January 16, 2004

 

 

Canada and US Need Stricter Livestock Feed Regulations

 

Canadian Agriculture Minister Bob Speller said that the U.S. and Canada both need to improve livestock feeding regulations to prevent the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle.

 

Speaking to reporters here, Speller highlighted the possibility of banning the use of cattle parts such as the brain tissue, considered to be a high risk for transmitting BSE, in all feed for livestock. He said he would bring up that proposal when he meets U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman Friday.

 

The U.S. and Canada already ban any material from rendered cattle being used for cattle feed, but not for other livestock feed.

 

"We need to go beyond that," Speller said.

 

The proposal Speller discussed, though, is not the only option Canada is considering for altering its livestock feed rules, said Robert Carberry, an official with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

 

"We're considering several options on feed ... including (high risk material) removal," Carberry said. "As of yet, we haven't made a firm decision on which direction we'll go."

   

Whichever changes Canada makes to its livestock feeding rules, it wants to act jointly with the U.S., Speller said.

   

"My cabinet has agreed that I need to move forward with the Americans on this, so we will be sitting down with them to move in a coordinated fashion in regard to feed," he said.

   

Speller, Veneman and Mexican Agriculture Secretary Javier Usabiaga are scheduled to meet Friday and then hold a press briefing afterward.

   

Both Canada and the U.S. announced the discovery of a case of BSE in 2003, but the positive cow found in the U.S. was confirmed to have been imported from Canada.