To protect animal feed, including pet food and treats, from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in December proposed a ban on the use of cattle tissue that may contain the agent that causes BSE.

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (Greenwich, Conn.), the proposed amendments to the animal feed regulations would ban all specified risk materials previously banned for human consumption, as well as dead stock and condemned cattle containing specified risk materials, and any other ruminant dead stock and condemned ruminant animals.

The proposal also would require that dedicated equipment be used to handle specified risk materials removed during slaughter or processing. Processors would have to specially identify and account for the materials. Furthermore, permits would be required to receive, remove from the premises, use, convey, treat, export or destroy specified risk materials in any form. An export certificate would be required to export a rendered product or feed from a rendered product.

The CFIA estimates that the annual cost to implement the ban at US $16 to $22 million. [February 2005 PET AGE]