The latest news on BSE

Letter to the Editor,
I’m writing to update your readers on the latest developments in the on-going BSE crisis, which is now into its 16th month.
On September 10 the Federal Government announced a strategy to reposition Canada’s livestock industry which refocuses our recovery efforts. The Federal Government strategy is based on a plan developed by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA). While both the CCA and the Federal Government will continue lobbying to re-open the U.S. border to live cattle, this new direction focuses on recovery through adding value by slaughtering cattle in Canada rather than exporting live animals. This will not only help us through the current crisis, but will make our industry less vulnerable to trade disruptions in the future.
In 2002, prior to BSE, Canada exported 1,686,452 head of live cattle at a value of $1.8 Billion. (3.46 million were slaughtered in Canada). Most of these exported cattle were destined for slaughter in the U.S. The practice of exporting live cattle for slaughter developed in response to economic forces.
Just over a year ago the U.S. and Mexico markets re-opened to Canadian beef from cattle under 30 months of age. That left the cattle that were previously slaughtered in the U.S. competing for spots in Canadian plants with the cattle normally slaughtered in Canada. The greater supply of cattle than capacity to process them is what has been driving down cattle prices in Canada.
The processing sector is responding with plans to increase capacity. The Federal Government has committed $66 Million to help with these efforts. However it takes time for plants to be built or expand their facilities. Until this extra capacity comes online we have to better match the number of cattle coming to market with the processing capacity available. That’s why the CCA advocated for, and the Federal Government included in its strategy, set-aside programs for market-ready cattle and for younger animals.
These set-aside programs will benefit all cattle producers, not just those who voluntarily sign up for the programs. All producers will benefit from the stability brought to the live cattle market when numbers of cattle coming to slaughter are matched to the slaughter capacity available. To meet that goal we will need to have adequate numbers of cattle entered into the programs. Program details are still being developed. I encourage cattle producers to watch for further information.
Strategies are also being developed to ensure we have international and domestic markets for the extra beef the additional slaughter capacity will produce.
BSE testing is done to determine the prevalence of the disease in the national herd. Canada must meet its surveillance target if we’re to achieve the goal of being recognized as a negligible risk country. Canada is on track to meet its surveillance target of testing 8,000 animals this year. As of August 27 we had tested 5,376 animals with all results negative. Canada has committed to testing 30,000 animals next year. The cooperation of cattle producers will be required to meet this target. A reimbursement program for bringing samples forward off the farm is being developed and details will be available soon.
Daily updates on the current situation are available at www.info-cca.ca
–Stan Eby,
President, CCA