U.S., Canada May Get `Controlled-Risk' Status for BSE
US - The U.S. and Canada may be added to the World Organization for Animal Health's list of nations where mad-cow disease is controlled, helping the countries recover beef exports that plummeted after mad-cow outbreaks in 2003.

Canada's measures recognized
OTTAWA - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, today issued the following statement in response to the preliminary recommendation from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)...

Canada wrapping up latest BSE investigation
CANADA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) comprehensive investigation of Canada's latest case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is nearing completion.

Cattle producers upset over USDA plan to open border to older Canadian beef
US - A large group of livestock producers testified at a U.S. Senate Hearing that a proposed USDA rule opening the borders to older Canadian cattle jeopardizes U.S. beef export markets and dumps more cases of BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) on...

Nine Canadian farms quarantined
CANADA - Nine Saskatchewan farms have been quarantined after receiving shipments of tainted feed from a Saskatoon feed mill, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said on Sunday.

Cattle Producers seek to Extend Comment Period on Canadian Cattle Imports
BILLINGS, MONT. - R-CALF USA sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns to formally request that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extend the public comment period regarding the agency’s proposal to allow imports of Canadian cattle over...

IE panel recommends favorable change to BSE rating
US - A panel for the World Organization for Animal Health has recommended to its 167 member countries that the U.S. and Canada be given a favorable rating on "mad cow" disease safety, a designation both countries want to spur beef and cattle trade, according...

NZFSA updates BSE importing requirements
NEW ZEALAND - The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has modernised the food safety importing requirements for beef and beef products in light of the new science and practical knowledge that now surrounds bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)...

Region's sole lab that tests for mad cow will shut soon
US - The government is scaling back its testing and tracking programs nationwide, saying the costs aren't warranted.

WSU ending BSE surveillance program
US - The bovine spongiform encephalopathy surveillance program at Washington State University will cease March 1, three years after it began.

South Dakota vs. USDA and Canada over live cattle
US - A U.S. Senate subcommittee chaired by North Dakota Democrat Byron Dorgan held a field hearing in North Dakota Wednesday on USDA’s proposed over-thirty-month rule, also known as USDA's minimal risk rule II, which would allow any Canadian cattle born...

Mad-cow scrutiny is scaled way back
US - While Washington ranchers are raising a fuss over Canadian cattle and the danger of mad-cow disease, the region's only mad-cow testing lab is quietly preparing to close March 1.

Canadian cattle slip past USDA safeguards
US - Hundreds of cattle from Canada, which this month confirmed its ninth case of mad cow disease, have entered the United States without government-required health papers or identification tags, according to documents obtained by cattlemen in Washington...

Canada mad cow case delays Mexico import plans
CANADA - Mexico has postponed plans to reopen its borders to dairy cattle imports from Canada after a case of mad cow disease was found in an Alberta bull last week.

Groeneveld expects BSE case to impact U.S. border decision
US - Alberta Agriculture Minister George Groeneveld said the discovery of the ninth case of BSE in the province is unfortunate considering the U.S. has begun the process of normalizing cattle trade with Canada.

Scientists work on identifying variation in bovine prion gene
US - Do genes affect bovine spongiform encephalopathy - also known as BSE or “mad cow” disease? Are some cattle more susceptible than others?

USDA says Canadian mad cow case won't impact trade
US - The day after Canada detected its ninth case of mad cow disease, the United States on Thursday said beef trade with its northern neighbor would remain unaffected and promised to press ahead with a draft rule to allow older Canadian cattle into the...

U.S. cattle groups want answers after lastest Canuck BSE case
US - Major U.S. cattle groups are looking for answers after Canada's most recent case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). But they'll likely have to wait before getting the information they really want.

Canada mad cow may slow US beef import plans: analysts
CHICAGO - The latest mad cow case in Canada, that country's ninth, could slow plans by the U.S. Agriculture Department to increase the age of imported beef and cattle from that country, U.S. analysts said on Thursday.

Food inspection watchdog confirms mad cow disease in mature Alberta bull
CANADA - Canada has confirmed its ninth case of mad cow disease since 2003, in an Alberta bull.