Question Period Note: BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY (BSE)

Q1 – Why are there differences between Canada and the U.S. in the measures to mitigate BSE risk ? Q2 – How does the detection of atypical BSE in Canada affect the risk status designation? Q3 – How does Canada’s negligible risk status for BSE affect trade?

R1 - Both Canada and the United States are currently recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) with a negligible bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) risk status.
However, both countries have identified different risks, such as differences in BSE occurrences, history and industry infrastructure that require different measures be put in place to mitigate the risk of BSE.
We continue to work with industry and our partners in the U.S. to find ways to align our approach where possible. R2 - The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) standards indicate that neither the BSE risk status nor trade should be affected as a result of the detection and reporting of cases of atypical BSE. Trading partners, however, may not follow these guidelines.
Some trade has resumed with South Korea and the Philippines, whereas trade with China remains disrupted.
The Government of Canada is working with international trading partners to maintain and restore, as well as increase market access for Canadian cattle and beef products. R3 - Having a negligible BSE risk status makes meeting trade requirements easier. Since achieving negligible risk status in 2021, Canada has been working towards expanding market access for Canadian beef, beef products and other bovine commodities globally.
For example, as a result of Canada’s negligible risk status, in August 2021, Singapore approved first-time access for Canadian beef from cattle over thirty months of age.

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, is a progressive, fatal disease of the nervous system of cattle that is associated with the presence of an abnormal form of a prion protein. In infected cattle, prions concentrate in certain tissues known in Canada as specified risk material (SRM). In Canada, BSE continues to pose an extremely low risk to human health.
There are two distinct types of BSE: first, the classical BSE strain, which occurs through an animal’s consumption of contaminated feed, and second, atypical strains, which occur naturally and sporadically in all cattle populations at a very low rate and which have only been identified in old cattle.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) upgraded Canada’s risk status from “controlled” to “negligible” in May 2021.
On December 17, 2021, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) notified the WOAH of a case of atypical BSE in a beef cow on a farm in Alberta.
The detection and reporting of an atypical BSE case has not affected the WOAH negligible risk status of Canada.
Following detection of this atypical BSE case, Canada engaged key trading partners to provide information and maintain confidence in Canada’s BSE safeguards. Canada continues to press for resumption of normal trade with China and to monitor other trading partner reactions.
The occurrence of atypical BSE cases would not impact Canada’s status as long as the case is disposed of in a way that mitigates the risk for humans and other animals.
Despite WOAH guidance that states that trade should not be disrupted in response to a detection of an atypical BSE case, three trading partners either temporarily suspended beef imports or requested that Canada not certify exports of beef products for their domestic market pending their review of additional information provided by CFIA:
• South Korea: suspended imports of beef and beef products on December 21, 2021. The suspension was lifted on January 19, 2022 (trade suspended for 29 days). Shipments held at port as of December 21, 2021, were released for customs clearance as of January 19, 2022. From January to November 2021, Canada exported $109 million worth of beef and beef products to South Korea. Beef exports to South Korea in 2022 reached $192.4 million (18,962 tonnes).
• China: requested that Canada stop issuing export certificates for beef and beef products to China on December 24, 2021. This measure remains in place as Canada continues to engage China for approval to resume the issuing of export certificates for Canadian beef products. From January to November 2021, Canada exported $182 million worth of beef and beef products to China.
• Philippines: suspended imports of beef and beef products, meat-and-bone-meal derived from cattle, and live cattle on January 5, 2022. From January to November 2021, Canada exported $14 million worth of beef and beef products to the Philippines. On January 28, 2022, Canada received confirmation that the protocol agreed upon with the Philippines prior to the suspensions of the importation of beef and beef products, bovine-derived meat-and-bone meal and live cattle, remained valid. CFIA reactivated export certificates the same day.

BSE Specified Risk Material (SRM)
Each country holding a BSE risk status must identify its own unique risk factors of BSE entry and spread and measures to mitigate these risks. Canada achieved negligible status based on the existing risk mitigation program. In order to keep negligible risk status, Canada must demonstrate that controls to address the risks of BSE entry into and circulation within Canada continue to be in place and effective.

Canada and the United States (US) have identified different risks, and in 2007 and 2008, put different measures in place to control their respective risks. The US did not change its control measures after receiving negligible risk status in 2013.
Any future changes to Canada’s BSE control programs would only proceed after careful analysis of any potential risks to human or animal health and verification that any change would not jeopardize Canada’s negligible risk BSE status or international markets. The CFIA is currently working with the cattle and beef sectors on such an analysis.
In 2021, the Canadian Cattle Association hired a risk consulting company, Risk Sciences International (RSI), to complete a definition of the problem to be analyzed. Since then, the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) has been awarded Federal Assistance Program funding from CFIA and has hired RSI to conduct a risk analysis to clearly identify the consequences that may arise through a proposed review of Canada's list of SRM prohibited from animal feed for the purpose of potentially harmonizing it with the list of cattle material prohibited in animal feed (CMPAF) in the US, in response to requests from industry. CFIA is supporting this work financially, providing technical expertise and is working collaboratively with the beef and cattle sectors to move this important work forward.
The outcome of this analysis will enable CFIA to identify what changes, if any may be considered to BSE regulatory controls in Canada.
The final risk analysis is expected to be completed in early 2024.

• Protecting food safety, animal health and the health of our cattle sector from the impact of BSE has been and continues to be a priority for the Government of Canada.
• The Government continues to engage industry to understand the challenges associated with implementing bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) control measures.
• An analysis is underway to determine if changes to the regulations regarding the list of specified risk material banned from animal feed in Canada would pose risks to human and animal health or threaten Canada’s negligible BSE risk status.
• The Government is committed to restoring, maintaining and increasing market access for Canadian cattle and beef products.