September 20, 2005

Canada aims for new feed rules by year-end

Canada is aiming to establish by year-end stricter feed rules that would ban cattle brains, spines and other risk materials from all animal feed, Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) policy director Billy Hewett said Sep 19.

In 1997, the country had banned protein made from cattle and other ruminants from cattle feed, to prevent the spread of mad cow disease. However, protein is still allowed in pig and poultry feed as they do not get BSE.

To reduce the risk of cattle accidentally given the wrong feed, Canada proposed to destroy brains, spines and other material from cattle over the age of 30 months.

An estimated 90,000 tonnes of risk material every year would have to be managed under the tighter regulations. However, some materials could be used in cement kilns, bio-diesel plants and other experimental uses, Hewett said. The federal government has pledged C$80 million to help with disposal costs.

Beef processors and renderers pointed out that the move would be too costly for them.

The CFIA estimated the ban to cost the local livestock industry C$20-27 million, while another study estimated the costs at C$32 million to farmers and C$88 million to meat packers and renderers. Even so, the industry retorted that potential costs had been underestimated.

The CFIA is now making final changes to the rules, which it hopes will be approved by the federal cabinet and published by year-end, Hewett said.

He added that the CFIA would take into the account the feed rules of the US-its major exporting country-and also of other export markets.