Canada adopts new rules on mad cow

By the Assoicated Press - 06/27/2006

OTTAWA (AP) — Canada has broadened restrictions on animal feed in an effort to fight mad cow disease and reopen export markets to Canadian beef, the government said Monday.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency revealed measures, to be phased in over the next year, aimed at keeping potentially risky cattle parts from all animal feed, not just feed destined for cows.

The parts will also be banned from pet food and fertilizers to avoid the risk of inadvertent cross-contamination of feed on farms and ranches.

Dr. Brian Evans, Canada’s chief veterinary officer, predicted that the new rules will ‘‘significantly accelerate’’ the campaign to eradicate mad cow disease, known scientifically as BSE or bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

It should also help to bolster trade opportunities by reassuring other countries that Canada is on top of the problem, Evans said.