Canada May Ban Suspect Cattle Tissue
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]
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