Canada-Alberta BSE Surveillance Program

To help Canada meet its required BSE testing level as set by CFIA to promote the acceptability of beef from Canada in international markets through an increase in submission of eligible Alberta animals for BSE testing.

To request a submission form, please contact the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian at 780-644-3967.

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 July 1, 2008, BSE testing in Alberta will concentrate on cattle between 30 months and 107 months of age that are down, diseased, dying or dead. This reflects the age range in which BSE is mostly likely to be found. 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. Nevertheless, all such older cattle will not be eligible for the Canada-Alberta BSE Surveillance Program (CABSESP) and its reimbursements.

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, 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 will continue to be reimbursed $225 for each eligible animal. Reimbursement to producers under the CABSESP is 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 no longer qualify for sampling for BSE testing under the Canada-Alberta BSE Surveillance Program (CABSESP). 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 comprehensive 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.