Title: Lessons learned from bovine spongiform encephalopathy for the future management of the Canadian cattle industry

Authors: Cam Ostercamp, Shalu Darshan, Roxanne E. Lewis, Daniel Krewski, Michael G. Tyshenko

Addresses: Beef Initiative Group, 234, 5149 Country Hills Blvd. N.W., Suite # 437, Calgary, Alberta, T3A 5K8, Canada. ' 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. ' 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: Globally, Canada is only a minor beef producing country, and yet ranks fourth among countries exporting beef products. That fact alone shows considerable market vulnerability. When coupled with dependence on corporate-owned slaughter capacity and heavy reliance on only one export market (the USA), that vulnerability is magnified. Economic losses from BSE in Canada following the occurrence of the first domestic case in May 2003 were disproportionately incurred by the farm producers. The debate around enhanced BSE testing to regain lost markets highlighted the lack of influence of farm producers on BSE risk management policy development, and the inability of Canadian groups such as the Canadian Beef Export Federation to reduce market vulnerability by accessing new markets. In future, government policies should promote and support market diversification. One possible approach to reduce market vulnerability would be to move towards a New Zealand style producer-owned model.

Keywords: bovine spongiform encephalopathy; BSE; Canada; USA; farm producers; risk management; trade; mad cow disease; market vulnerability; exports; government policy; market diversification; cattle industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRAM.2010.035931

International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management, 2010 Vol.14 No.5, pp.323 - 334

Published online: 09 Oct 2010 *

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