The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed Wednesday Canada's eighth case of BSE. A test conducted as part of the country's ongoing surveillance program returned a positive result. CFIA describes the BSE-positive animal, which was from Alberta, as a "mature cross-bred Charolais." Based on its age, exposure to the BSE agent likely occurred either before the 1997 feed ban introduction or during its early implementation.

"This announcement shows Canada's surveillance system is working to target and eliminate any remaining cases of BSE in the country," says American Meat Institute president and CEO J. Patrick Boyle. "It's important to remember that eating beef cuts has never been associated with any BSE-related disease. No variant CJD cases have occurred as a result of eating U.S. or Canadian beef products."
-- Clint Peck