March 16, 2007

OIE rates BSE risk assessments for US and Canada
 

An expert panel of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has recommended that the US and Canada be classified as "control risk" countries for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). This change in classification is likely to be ratified at the OIE's general conference in May.

"Controlled risk" is the middle level of the OIE's three-tiered classification system. It indicates that while a country has a history of BSE cases, it has proven to still contain the disease. OIE recommends that "control risk" countries be allowed to export beef from cattle less than 30 months of age, with specified risk materials removed.

Officials from both the US and Canada said the rating recognises that both countries have implemented measures to effectively control BSE risks.

While Japan, South Korea and the US are all members of the OIE (as is Australia and 151 other nations), member countries are not obliged to adopt OIE's recommended trade rules.

According to the Japanese Agriculture Ministry, the classification will not lead to immediate changes in Japan's import protocols for US beef. 

On the other hand, South Korea would be expected to provide scientific justification if the country chose not to follow OIE's stance after the May deliberations.

The US was the second largest global beef exporter prior to the discovery of its first BSE case in December 2003 (behind Australia). US beef exports fell 75 percent in 2004, due largely to Japan and South Korea import bans. While exports recovered by almost 40 percent in 2006, they were still barely half the 2003 quantity.

Despite the official lifting of import bans in mid-2006, US exported only 13,736 tonnes (carcase weight) to Japan in 2006 (US Meat Exporter's Federation data) and the three initial shipments to Korea were rejected due to the discovery of bone chips.