Americans investigate another BSE case

Beth Gorham
The Canadian Press

July 28, 2005

WASHINGTON -- There's another possible mad cow case in the United States in what is likely a home-grown animal, U.S. officials said Wednesday.

Samples from the cow, which was at least 12 years old, were actually taken in April on a remote farm but a private veterinarian forgot to send them to the U.S. Department of Agriculture until last week.

"While the time lag is not optimal, it has no implications in terms of the risk to human health," said John Clifford, the department's chief vet.

Results of further tests, expected next week, will reveal for certain whether the animal had the disease. A positive result would bring the number of confirmed U.S. mad cow cases to three, one in a Canadian-born cow.

"All indications we have suggest this is a domestic animal," said Clifford, who noted the cow died during calving and did not enter the human food chain or animal feed supply.

"This should not have any effect on trade with Canada."

Stan Eby, president of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, echoed that view. "As far as trade is concerned and the activity at the border here that we've seen open up, I see no change there," he said from Kamloops.

"The USDA rule took that into consideration that there could be a few more cases on either side of the border. I don't see any reason for border closures or impediments. Consumer confidence appears to be solid."

Trade in young cattle under 30 months of age, thought to be at lowest risk for mad cow disease, finally resumed earlier this month for the first time since May 2003.

U.S. officials closed the border after the first of Canada's own three mad cow cases was announced.

Meanwhile, Montana could be headed for a showdown with the USDA over plans to test Canadian cattle entering the state and charge a fee of $3 to $5 US per animal.

Sarah Elliott, spokesman for Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, said Wednesday officials will conduct extra inspections on all Canadian cows destined to remain in the state, although the federal department has said it's unnecessary.

Montana also intends to send a letter to all other states this week encouraging them to do the same.

"We want to make sure we're protecting our cattle industry and our consumers," said Elliott.

The extra measures will include checking the animals to determine age, whether they're pregnant and if they have a Canadian brand.

Breaking the seal on cross-border trucks destined for slaughter houses or feed lots is illegal, said a USDA spokesman.

The latest potential case of mad cow, the common name for bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE, will be confirmed with more tests at an international lab in Weybridge, England.

CREDIT: Canadian Press, File
Early indications are the animal was born in the United States.