BSE Feed Source Tracked

March 26, 2004 -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) believes the cow in Washington State diagnosed with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) last December was fed ruminant protein ? in the form of meat and bone meal ? prior to the ruminant protein ban.

The BSE-positive animal was born on April 9, 1997, in Alberta, Canada. The CFIA?s on-farm investigation of the birth herd identified two feeds of interest ? a dairy ration and a protein supplement. The Canadian feed mill?s formula showed that ruminant meat and bone meal were used in rations until July 1997 and discontinued when the Canadian feed ban was implemented in August 1997.

The information gathered by CFIA over the course of the investigation would suggest that the ?appearance of BSE in North America was likely due to the importation of cattle from the United Kingdom from 1982 to 1989??

Staff contact: Paul Rodgers, 304-647-9981

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