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Canada-Alberta BSE Surveillance Program |
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Agency: |
Food Safety and Animal Health Division
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
For Further Information Contact:
Tel: 780-644-3967 Fax: 780-422-5734
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Program Purpose:
To help Canada meet its required BSE testing level as set by CFIA, to demonstrate safety of Canadian meat and to promote the acceptability of beef from Canada in international markets through an increase in submissions of eligible Alberta animals for BSE testing.
Changes to the Canada-Alberta BSE Surveillance Program
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are refining the Canada-Alberta BSE Surveillance Program (CABSESP) to place greater focus on the highest risk cattle populations.
As of December 1, 2009, animals with neurological signs that are over 30 months of age will be accepted without upper age limit. On the other categories, the CABSESP is focusing on cattle between 30 and 107 months of age (the age range in which BSE is mostly likely to be found) that are sick and deemed unfit for human consumption and on animals that are down, distressed or dead. Within the same age range, some restrictions have been lifted to allow more animals to be tested for BSE. For example, animals becoming sick, down or dead post calving or post surgery are now eligible without any waiting period. In all cases, producers should provide as much history as possible to certified veterinarians. Animals of any age showing strong clinical neurological signs of BSE must be reported to CFIA as per federal legislation, and CFIA will determine on a case by case basis if a sample will be taken.
Why is the program changing?
The changes being made to the CABSESP are based on international scientific guidelines for BSE surveillance, which focus on collecting quality samples from the highest risk cattle populations.
By aggressively targeting the highest risk cattle populations, and by testing sufficient number of animals, Canada can more precisely and effectively verify that the level of BSE in the national herd continues to decline as quickly as possible. These changes also support Canada’s status as a controlled risk country for BSE, as recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
Reimbursement for Producers
Eligible producers are reimbursed $75 for each eligible animal. Reimbursement to producers under the CABSESP is performed to offset the costs to have an animal assessed for eligibility, sampled if eligible, and to retain control of the carcass until a negative BSE test result is available.
There are changes to the CABSESP!
Before you call your veterinarian, please review these changes to the CABSESP:
- Cattle over 107 months of age (eight years and 11 months) will not qualify for sampling for BSE testing under the Canada-Alberta BSE Surveillance Program (CABSESP) unless the animal is displaying clear neurological signs confirmed by a certified veterinarian. This age restriction is based on scientific knowledge of the onset of BSE. The minimum age for eligible cattle is still 30 months.
- Only a licensed veterinarian certified by ARD can participate in the CABSESP.
- Veterinarians will be required to provide a description of the herd and operation, not just information on the animal.
- Producers will be required to provide detailed farm records that include animal records, tags and/or tattoos that confirm the animal’s date of birth and possibly purchase. These records must be authentic and should be consistent with the rest of the herd.
- The producer must have been in possession of the animal for at least 30 days in order to provide adequate clinical history to the veterinarian. Evidence of this possession will be required.
To request a submission form, or payment inquiries, please contact the TSE Unit at 780-427-8236, or fax to 780-422-5734. Questions on the CABSESP? Please call us to 780-644-2148. |
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For more information about the content of this document, contact Ag-Info Centre.
Last Reviewed/Revised on October 21, 2011.
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