Title: A review of bovine spongiform encephalopathy and its management in Canada and the USA

Authors: Roxanne E. Lewis, Daniel Krewski, Michael G. Tyshenko

Addresses: McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa, 1 Stewart St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada. ' McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa, 1 Stewart St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada; Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa Ontario, K1H 8M5, Canada. ' McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa, 1 Stewart St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada

Abstract: Geographic proximity and a long history of integration between US and Canadian cattle industries have resulted in similar management of BSE risk factors. Both countries have had a single imported case of BSE followed by multiple endemic cases of the bovine disease. Comparable risk management strategies have been put in place, such as a ban on the feeding of ruminant materials to other ruminants, a ban on the use of specified risk materials in human and animal feed, and targeted import policies designed to limit the possibility of introduction and propagation of BSE to and within the domestic cattle herd. Despite these similarities, Canada has had experienced a much greater economic challenge than the US in response to BSE due to its higher reliance on beef and cattle exports and the greater number of BSE cases detected within the country.

Keywords: bovine spongiform encephalopathy; BSE; Canada; USA; United States; risk management; harmonisation; trade; mad cow disease; cattle exports; beef exports; food safety.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRAM.2010.035244

International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management, 2010 Vol.14 No.1/2, pp.32 - 49

Published online: 17 Sep 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article