CALGARY – There’s not much panic in the beef industry after an Alberta cow was found to have mad cow disease last week, but there is concern about how Canada’s trading partners will react in the wake of South Korea’s decision to suspend beef imports.
Mad cow disease, or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), is a progressive, fatal neurological disease in cattle. Canada’s last confirmed BSE case was reported in 2011.
Beef industry groups gathered in Red Deer on Thursday to contemplate the future of their industry – with discussions on how to become more competitive and expand into new markets. Delegates said success depends on maintaining high standards.
“We are constantly advertising and marketing our products all over the world,” said National Cattle Feeders’ Association’s Larry Schweitzer. “I think we’re doing a very good job of that. And it proves itself by the exports we’ve had and the export markets we’ve opened.”
Despite South Korea’s suspension of Canadian beef imports, Alberta Agriculture Minister Verlyn Olson doesn’t think the 40-odd border closures that resulted in the BSE scare of 2003 is likely to happen again, but he isn’t making any promises.
“We’re all subject to the same rules around the world. We follow the rules scrupulously, and we have an expectation our trading partners will have faith in the system as we do,” said Olson. “Can I guarantee that a trading partner won’t take some action? Of course I can’t.”
Canada’s designation for BSE remains “controlled risk” which means there can be up to 12 cases in a year. South Korea accounts for about one per cent of Canada’s beef exports.
With files from Erika Tucker and Melissa Ramsay
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