January 27, 2006

Cattle herd from Canadian farm tests negative for mad cow

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said the herd of cattle from the Canadian farm where one cow recently tested positive for mad cow disease was not infected.

The herd of 25 cattle on the Alberta farm tested negative for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, also known as BSE, or mad cow disease after the CFIA ran checks on them.

The most recent case of a six-year-old cow confirmed on Jan 22 to have the disease was Canada's fourth BSE report since the first case was reported in May 2003. Although several countries banned Canadian beef and cattle in 2003, trade gradually resumed with restrictions. The CFIA found the BSE reports to be consistent with a low level of disease and it has not affected trade.

CFIA is investigating all other animals related to the diseased cow. As cattle can develop BSE from contaminated feed, CFIA is also checking on feed at the farm.