Question Period Note: BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY

Q1 – Why are there differences between Canada and the United States in the measures to mitigate bovine spongiform encephalopathy risk? Q2 – What has been done to harmonise the BSE SRM requirements with the USA? Q3 – How does the detection of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Canada affect the risk status designation? Q4 – How does Canada’s negligible risk status for bovine spongiform encephalopathy affect trade? Q5 – How will recent funding announced in Budget 2024 support the Government’s BSE Program?

R.1 - Both Canada and the United States are currently recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health with a negligible bovine spongiform encephalopathy risk status.

Both countries have identified different risks. Canada had bovine spongiform encephalopathy circulating in animal feed indicated by the detection of a number of cases of classical bovine spongiform, while the United States did not. Canada has controls in the feed chain, which differ from the US controls, to address risks related to these previous cases.

Some trading partners still deal with Canadian exports differently than those from the United States and this requires different measures in place to mitigate risks to the satisfaction of these trading partners.

The Government continues to consult with industry and our partners in the United States to find ways to align our approach where possible. R.2 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has provided financial funding to the beef industry, as well as scientific expertise towards the completion of an assessment of the risk associated with harmonising with the United States, the list of specified risk materials (SRM) from cattle that are prohibited from animal feed. An in-depth review of the risk assessment is currently being undertaken by the CFIA. This analysis is needed to determine how the risks identified in the assessment can be managed or mitigated.

Protecting human and animal health, as well as maintaining our negligible risk status with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is a shared priority. SRM and their required controls, are listed in the Health of Animals Regulations, Feed Regulations, Food and Drug Regulations and the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations. Any changes to the SRM requirements will require due process for regulatory change, including consultation. R.3 - The World Organisation for Animal Health standards show that neither the bovine spongiform encephalopathy risk status nor trade should be affected because of the detection and reporting of cases of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Trading partners, however, may not follow these guidelines.

Some trade has resumed with South Korea and the Philippines. 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, beef products and by-products. R.4 - Having a negligible bovine spongiform encephalopathy risk status makes meeting trade requirements easier. Canada has been working towards expanding market access globally.

In August 2021, Singapore approved first-time access for Canadian beef from cattle over thirty months of age. Brazil, Bahamas and Qatar granted full beef access in 2022. Japan opened the market for processed beef products in March 2023. Mexico recently opened its market to Canadian bovine meat and bone meal. Taiwan also issued an administrative notice to lift a ban on the import of Canadian beef over thirty months of age.

This access will help to expand and diversify Canadian beef exports, while contributing to global food security, benefiting global consumers with access to high-quality beef products. R.5 - Budget 2024 announced $49 million over two years (2024-26) for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada for continued surveillance and inspection activities that monitor and manage risks related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy and other animal and human transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.

This investment also supports the redesign of Canada’s bovine spongiform encephalopathy surveillance program to align it with the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (WOAH) recently revised international standards. Changes are expected to be implemented in the fall of 2024.

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. In Canada, BSE continues to pose an extremely low risk to human health.

There are two distinct types of BSE: the classical BSE strain, which occurs through an animal’s consumption of feed contaminated with prions; and the atypical strain, which occur 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.

Trade restrictions are still imposed on Canadian animals and their products by some trading partners, such as South Korea. The Government is working to regain and expand market access for live cattle and products derived from them based on our negligible risk status and the latest recommendations by the World Organisation for Animal Health.

Atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy case

On December 17, 2021, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) notified WOAH of a case of atypical BSE on 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.

According to WOAH standards, the occurrence of atypical BSE cases would not affect Canada’s status as long as the case is disposed of in a way that mitigates the risk for humans and other animals.

However, South Korea and the Philippines temporarily suspended beef imports. China requested that Canada stop issuing export certificates for beef and beef products. This measure remains in place. South Korea imposed measures on beef exported from the USA that is derived from Canadian cattle. Other trading partners are imposing restrictions on meat, based on animals that were born and raised in Canada. This has led to the USA imposing restrictions on some slaughter plants being able to accept Canadian cattle, despite both countries being of negligible risk for BSE.

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy specified risk material

Each country holding a BSE risk status must identify and report to WOAH its own unique risk factors for BSE entry and spread, and measures to mitigate these risks. Canada achieved negligible status from WOAH based on the existing risk mitigation program. In order to keep negligible risk status, Canada must publicly demonstrate that effective controls are in place to address the risks of BSE entry and spread within the Canadian livestock feed chain.

The CFIA is aiming to harmonize with the US, the materials derived from cattle that can be fed to non-ruminant animals, thereby reducing the amount of tissues that have to be disposed of as specified risk material (SRM). The beef industry estimates that differences between the US and Canada cost approximately $25M per year. Any changes to Canada’s BSE control programs would only be considered after careful analysis of risks to human or animal health, and verification that the proposed change would not jeopardize Canada’s negligible risk BSE status or international markets. The sensitivity of trading partners around BSE controls is high. The CFIA is providing technical expertise and is engaging with the beef and cattle sectors to move this important work forward.

In 2021, the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) hired a risk consulting company (Risk Sciences International) to complete a definition of the problem to be assessed. Subsequently the CFIA provided financial support to the CCA to complete a risk assessment of the risk associated with SRM harmonization. This risk assessment has now been completed.

The Agency is currently undertaking an in-depth review of the recently completed risk assessment. This analysis is needed to determine how the risks identified in the assessment can be managed or mitigated, which is essential to protect human and animal health, as well as to maintain international market access. In parallel to CFIA’s analysis, the risk assessment is being peer reviewed by experts to ensure the methodology is complete and internationally defendable. Options for potential policy changes will be developed and expected to be ready for initial discussions in fall 2024. 

The CFIA is collaborating with the CCA to inform key stakeholders about the Risk Assessment, including federal, provincial and territorial groups and Council of Chief Veterinary Officers. The first session occurred on June 28, 2024, with another session planned for fall 2024.

Protecting human and animal health, along with maintaining our negligible risk status is a priority for this Government.

The Government is committed to restoring, maintaining, and increasing international market access for Canadian cattle, beef products and by-products.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is aiming to harmonize with the US list of cattle material prohibited from animal feed.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is currently conducting an in-depth review of the potential risks associated with harmonising the list of specified risk materials (SRM) with the United States.