The North American cattle industry was shaken on May 20, 2003, with the confirmation of a single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in western Canada. While the ramifications of this finding were immediate to the Canadian cattle and rendering industry, the rest of North America was quick to feel the impact.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) was quick and aggressive in their response. All of the appropriate people were immediately contacted in various countries and international organizations.
The CFIA conducted a very transparent investigation in its attempt to determine the origin of this single case and whether other contact animals might have BSE. Over 2,700 animals were quarantined and culled. Among them, more than 2,000 animals 24 months of age or older were tested and found negative for BSE.
An international team of experts convened in early June to review the epidemiological investigation, the actions taken to date, and the scope of options and measures being considered to adjust domestic policies to address the new reality that exists in Canada and within the broader North American context. The team was impressed with the comprehensive scope, level of analysis, and thoroughness of the investigation to date. In a very short time Canadian experts have collected and assessed a level of information that exceeds the investigations done in most other BSE-affected countries.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) personnel were in Canada almost immediately upon notification of the confirmed case to assist the CFIA officials in their investigation. The U.S. government took immediate action by closing the U.S./Canadian border from imports of animals and animal products. As of this writing in early July, the border has not been reopened. This comes as a surprise to many. Early indications from USDA officials were that the import restrictions were temporary and once the investigation was complete, trade would most likely resume. But then things got complicated.
Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman was the first to tell the industry of these complications when National Renderers Association (NRA) members met with her on June 9, 2003, during the annual NRA Congressional Fly-In. It appears that as willing as the USDA might be to resume trade, other countries that are customers for U.S. beef such as Japan and Korea sent up warning signals that the U.S. BSE status could be jeopardized. Subsequently, Japan notified the USDA that effective July 1, 2003, beef products from the United States must be certified not to contain any product of Canadian origin. Secretary Veneman immediately requested and received a 60-day extension from the Japanese.
Other complications include determining what steps the Canadian government will be taking, if any, to change their procedures and rules regarding BSE. It is assumed that the United States would be obliged to follow suit to whatever Canada does. This may or may not be the case.
At this point, we are in a waiting game. There have been many rumors as to what might happen, many of which have been without foundation and only serve to add to the confusion. Unfortunately, advocates of other causes such as food safety, country of origin labeling, and even animal rights have used this unfortunate incident to advance their own agendas.
Some things that are on the radar screen for consideration include the handling of specified risk materials, dead stock, and significantly increasing the level of surveillance. No doubt the current exemptions to the feed rule will get another review and consideration to be removed.
While I cannot predict what will happen, if anything, I do believe the rhetoric has calmed down in recent weeks. This will hopefully allow the decision makers to operate in an atmosphere that will be driven by sound science, not the activist or politically charged rhetoric we saw early on.
Without question, the NRA and its members will be called to action at some point to address whatever is proposed.
The NRA has been participating in an ongoing dialogue with various government agencies and allied organizations since May 20. I do believe that there will be a move in the United States to speed up the implementation of a national animal identification program, either voluntary or mandatory. The arguments of the past against such a mandatory program are simply losing ground to the food safety and international trade arguments.
The challenges continue.
Not too Early for Convention Plans
Just a reminder that it is not too early to be making plans to attend the 70th Annual NRA Convention October 21-25, 2003, in Scottsdale, AZ. An excellent program has been put together that will include a lot of information, education, and entertainment.
The convention is a major opportunity each year for renderers to come together and address the crucial issues facing the industry.
From the Association - August 2003 Render