Jim Rogers (202) 690-4755
Statement by USDA Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford Regarding Canada’s BSE Epidemiological Investigation
April 28, 2006
"The U.S. Department of Agriculture continues to work closely with our counterparts in Canada on animal tracebacks in regards to their most recent case of BSE. Canada has informed us that 15 feed cohorts of the BSE-positive animal entered the United States. USDA has located one of these animals, and it will be euthanized and tested. The disposition of the remaining 14 animals is still being determined. "Experience worldwide has shown us that it is highly unusual to find BSE in more than one animal in a herd or in an affected animal's offspring. However, we will continue to work with Canada to locate as many animals of interest in this case as possible. It is important to remember that the United States maintains a series of interlocking safeguards which are what protect animal and public health. These safeguards include the removal of specified risk materials from the food supply and the Food and Drug Administration's 1997 ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban."