Release: Canada now negligible risk for BSE
May 27, 2021 (Ottawa, ON) – The Canadian Meat Council (CMC) is very pleased to see today’s announcement by the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food that Canada has been officially recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) World Assembly of Delegates as a country with negligible-risk for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).
“The negligible BSE-risk status is an important step to help Canada secure and negotiate access to those countries that have been holding out for Canadian beef products. CMC would like to thank the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for the hard work leading up to this announcement. This was truly a collaborative effort of industry and government” said Chris White, President of the Canadian Meat Council who was part of the of the Canadian Delegation for today’s OIE World Assembly.
The Scientific Commission of the OIE had sent their decision to the OIE Delegates for an official vote that took place earlier today. This move from controlled to negligible BSE-risk status will help the industry gain access to those countries that had not been importing Canadian beef products – including, bone-in, offal and beef from animals over thirty months of age.
“The industry looks forward to working with the government to pursue the range of export opportunities that is now available to our members” added Chris White.
CMC would also like to thank the teams from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Global Affairs Canada as well as recognize the outstanding work by our industry partners, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, The National Cattle Feeders Association, Canadian Renderers’ Association, Animal Nutrition Association of Canada and the Dairy Farmers of Canada. Together with Government representatives, it was a collaborative Industry/Government Working group that helped to coordinate data gathering to support the 2020 Submission to the OIE for BSE Negligible Risk Status.
About Canadian Meat Council:
For over a century, the CMC has represented Canada’s federally registered meat packers, meat processors and equipment suppliers. CMC provides evidence-based advocacy on behalf of its members and works to secure and improve Canada’s global meat competitiveness and, promote a balanced diet, which includes high-quality and nutritious Canadian meat. The Canadian red meat industry represents over 20 Billion dollars to the Canadian economy and supports 288,000 jobs across Canada.
