300 cows from mad cow investigation already slaughtered

More than 300 of 750 head of cattle identified as being part of the investigation into the latest case of mad cow disease have been slaughtered, according to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). That is to be expected, said the head of Alberta Beef Producers, and shouldn’t be cause for alarm. “The fact a number of these animals have already been processed isn’t a food safety issue,” said Rich Smith, executive director of Alberta Beef Producers. “Aside from our work on BSE surveillance, the steps we take to protect the food chain are always there.” The latest BSE case was found last month on a northern Alberta ranch and is the first reported in Canada since 2011. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has reported the cow was born on the same farm as a previously diagnosed case found in 2010. CFIA has also reported the BSE case came from a cow born after imposition of an enhanced feed ban in 2007. Smith said the steps taken by the federal government have mitigated the risk to the public, including the mandatory removal of specified risk materials — tissues affected by BSE infection — from cattle since 2007. “None of that ever gets into actual food, feed, pet food or fertilizer,” said Smith...more