Eliminating BSE from the national herd

Scenarios for Canadian Cattle Producers

The fight to eradicate bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) from the national herd is not a new one.

Recognizing the devastating effects of BSE, the Government of Canada banned cattle tissues capable of transmitting the disease, known as specified risk material (SRM), from feed for cattle and other ruminant animals in 1997.

The low number of BSE cases detected through Canada's highly targeted surveillance program confirms that the 1997 feed ban has worked as intended to limit BSE spread. However, in an effort to eliminate BSE from Canada as quickly as possible, the CFIA is introducing new rules to ensure that SRM does not enter the animal feed system.

Effective July 12, 2007, producers have new responsibilities when dealing with dead cattle. Essentially, CFIA permits are required any time cattle carcasses containing SRM are moved from a producer's property or, if cattle die in transit, from the premises where the animal is pronounced dead. These rules allow the CFIA to track and control the movement of SRM. They don't apply if the SRM or cattle carcass does not leave and is disposed of on the premises where the animal was last living or the property where it is determined to be dead.

The following examples explain how the rules apply to moving bovine mortalities off the farm of origin or from the premises where the animal was determined to be dead.

Post mortems at a veterinary clinic

If a producer wishes to take a bovine mortality to a veterinary clinic for a post mortem, a CFIA permit is needed to transport the carcass from the farm. The veterinarian also needs a permit to accept SRM in any form. Veterinarians who routinely perform post mortems can apply for an annual permit, which allows the clinic to receive unlimited SRM from their own clients.

Once the post mortem at the veterinary clinic is completed, the whole carcass or any specific SRM tissues removed by the veterinarian may be brought back to the farm of origin for disposal, under the original transportation permit. Keep in mind that on-farm disposal of carcasses containing SRM has to comply with any provincial agricultural, environmental or public health control measures that are in effect.

Dealing with cattle that die in transit

If cattle die while being transported to auction markets, abattoirs or any other location off a producer's property, there are three disposal options to consider: on-site disposal, off-site disposal at an approved SRM disposal facility or disposal on the premises where the animal was last living.

If the carcass is disposed of on the premises where the animal is pronounced dead, a CFIA permit is not required. For example, some auction markets may be equipped to bury or compost dead animals on site.

A second option is to arrange for the carcass to be sent to a CFIA-approved SRM receiving facility off site for disposal. A CFIA permit must be acquired to do so, and the disposal facility must have a permit to accept and dispose of SRM in any form.

Finally, the carcass may be returned to the last premises where it was living for disposal. This must be done under a CFIA permit, and on-farm disposal procedures must comply with any provincial agricultural, environmental or public health control measures.

A situation like this can be time-sensitive, especially if it occurs outside of normal business hours and the carcass has to be moved quickly. If a bovine animal dies in transit or at a veterinary clinic or auction market outside of normal business hours, the producer should call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 and request a SRM permit. The caller will be directed to the CFIA district inspector on call, who will ask for the following information:

• the transporter's name, address, phone number, e-mail address;
• a description of the conveyance used to transport the SRM (license plate of truck or description of tarp/bucket);
• the SRM permit number of the site that will be receiving the SRM (unless it is the farm of origin of an animal dying in transit);
• the number or carcasses and approximate weight of SRM being transported;
• the type of dye used to mark the bovine carcass; and
• CCIA or ATQ tag number(s).

The district inspector will then assign a permit number, which will be valid for 48 hours or less.

During normal business hours, producers can call the nearest CFIA district office directly to request a SRM permit. A list of CFIA district offices is available at www.inspection.gc.ca.

Cattle identification

All cattle - alive or dead - that leave the premises of origin must bear Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) or Agri-Traçabilité Québec (ATQ) tags. The person or organization receiving the bovine carcass must record the tag numbers and keep these records for at least 10 years.

The permit application process

The SRM permit application form is available online at www.inspection.gc.ca/bse. It should be completed and submitted to the nearest CFIA district office, along with the following documentation:

• the location of the premises of origin, the name of the transporter, the intended use of the SRM and the destination of the transported SRM;
• all relevant municipal and provincial documents, including vehicle registration and licensing;
• all relevant provincial agricultural, environmental or public health permits relating to the transportation of deadstock and slaughter waste; and
• detailed operating procedures for SRM transportation.

Additional information

To help regulated parties prepare for the coming changes, the CFIA has also developed a series of information brochures for livestock producers, abattoirs, salvagers (zoos, hide strippers, etc.), fertilizer, pet food and feed manufacturers, waste management facilities and transporters. To order copies of these materials or to locate your local CFIA office, call 1-800-442-2342. Additional information about the enhanced feed ban is available online at www.inspection.gc.ca/bse.