The Badger has learned a new case of BSE was discovered two weeks ago, but the public was not informed as part of the government’s new communication strategy.
The decision not to announce new cases of BSE was made in August of 2009 and the public was
informed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) online.
“The CFIA is committed to providing all stakeholders, including the general public, media and trading partners, with timely information about disease detections in farmed animals. As such, we have revised how we report online for disease detections in farmed animals to provide a more comprehensive view of Canada’s animal health status. All confirmed cases of federally reportable diseases in farmed animals will be centrally located on our website.
This information will be updated monthly,” explained CFIA spokesperson Jenn Gearey.
The new communication strategy means journalists will not be notified when any new cases of BSE are discovered.
The latest finding of BSE – Canada’s 17th domestic case – was announced to industry stakeholders such as processors on Feb. 25, but not to the media or general public. And while the CFIA claims its reportable diseases page will be updated monthly, no new information has been posted since Jan. 31.
The infection was detected through the national surveillance program in a six-year-old black angus cow in the same general area of Alberta home to most of Canada’s BSE activity.
The last case discovered in Canada was in May of 2009 – the only occurrence that year. In 2008, there were four incidents, in 2007, there were three and in 2006, there were five cases of BSE.
Canada’s international risk status has not been affected by the latest case.
thebadger.ca
Source: newsroom - meattradenewsdaily.co.uk
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