FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

For more questions and answers on BSE, visit Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Will there be more cases of BSE?

The Government of Canada says it will not be surprised if there are a few additional cases of animals with BSE, because of the increased testing the government is doing of animals most at risk for the disease. But it is important to remember that there are strong measures in place to protect Canadians.

It is also important to know that even with some additional cases, under the guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE); Canada is a controlled risk country for BSE. For details, see Canadian Food Inspection Agency media release.

Can consumers be confident in the safety of Canadian beef if additional BSE cases are found?

Canadian beef is safe to eat. The most important step taken to protect human health from BSE is the removal of specified risk materials (SRM) - from all cattle at slaughter. When cattle are prepared for food, the parts of the cow most likely to contain BSE are removed and do not go into our food. This removes almost all of the risk (over 99%) that could be present if an animal has BSE. For more information on SRM, visit the safeguards section. Research also shows that BSE is not transmitted through muscle meat, like roasts and steaks. Muscle meat is considered safe by Health Canada and international health agencies such as the World Health Organization. A further food safety step is the inspection of cattle at all federally inspected facilities.

Does Canada test all animals for BSE?

No. Testing all animals is not supported by science as an effective food safety measure. The purpose of the testing is to figure out the level of BSE in cattle in Canada. Since 1992, Canada has used a science-based program to find BSE in our country. The number of tests we have done is greater than the level recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health, or OIE (Office International des Epizooties). The OIE is the world scientific reference body for animal health, which sets guidelines for the minimum number of animals to be tested each year for BSE. For more information, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

How can we be assured that SRM are removed from all cattle?

Under the Health of Animals Regulations, all plants that process beef have to remove specified risk materials (SRM) and to keep records on how they control and dispose of SRM. This is law. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for inspecting federally registered meat processing plants. CFIA inspectors have been trained on the requirements for SRM removal. About 95% of Canadian cattle are processed in federally registered plants.

The other 5% of cattle are processed in provincially licensed plants, primarily in the three provinces with the largest cattle populations: Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. These provinces have well established provincial meat inspection systems which include the removal of SRM and the keeping of records on the control and disposal of SRM.

For more information see the Food Directorate Policy on Specified Risk Material (SRM) in the Food Supply.

How is the feed ban regulated?

In order to operate, renderers and feed mills must get a permit from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) every year. They only receive a permit if they are in full compliance with the regulations, which is determined through annual inspections from the CFIA. The CFIA inspects feed mills and rendering plants throughout the year on a regular basis. As well, farms are randomly inspected each year.

It is illegal to sell animal feeds containing prohibited material. For more information on the Canadian BSE control and prevention system, visit the safeguards section.