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Alberta to analyze cost-benefits of additional BSE testing in cattle

May 5, 2010

 

Edmonton…An agriculture-based think-tank will do an analysis of whether the cost of conducting client-driven optional BSE testing in animals before or after slaughter would be beneficial in the marketplace.

The work which is being done by the George Morris Centre will help to determine whether pre or post-slaughter testing would allow Canadian products access to export markets that are currently not available, potentially creating a greater demand for Canadian beef. 

“In Alberta, in accordance with internationally accepted standards, we currently test those animals that meet the criteria for BSE testing,” said Jack Hayden, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.  “This study is separate from our world-class surveillance system and the other steps that we already take to ensure the safety of our beef products for consumers.   Alberta’s beef industry is market-driven, however, we need to constantly be evolving as science and technology progresses in order to further enhance our market opportunities.”

“At this time, Canadian products are still restricted in certain markets that could be important to industry,” said Dr. Kevin Keough, Executive Director, Alberta Prion Research Institute. “This study will provide an independent look at the issue, as well as reliable data and analysis."

“Canada’s economic losses stemming from the 2003 BSE crisis are significant and research like this is needed to support Canada’s beef industry,” said Dr. Neil Cashman, Scientific Director of PrioNet Canada. “This analysis plays an important part in the process to determine how we can help restore international consumer’s confidence in Canadian beef.”

The Alberta Prion Research Institute and PrioNet Canada, in partnership with the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency, requested submissions for proposals in November 2009, and selected the George Morris Centre. 

“We submitted a proposal for the project because the cost-benefit analysis of BSE testing in cattle is a significant issue and we thought we would make a good contribution to it,” said Al Mussell, Senior Research Associate, George Morris Centre.

The cost of the project is approximately $179,000 with the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency contributing 50 per cent of the funds. PrioNet Canada and The Alberta Prion Research Institute are each contributing the remaining amount equally.

The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency, a provincial government agency, contributes ideas, information and investment as it works with industry partners towards achieving the goal of a sustainable, profitable and internationally respected livestock and meat industry. For more information on ALMA, visit www.alma.alberta.ca.

The Alberta Prion Research Institute is committed to the prevention, mitigation and treatment of prion and protein misfolding diseases in animals and humans. APRI invests in fundamental and applied research that takes an interdisciplinary approach to solving the prion mystery. It supports projects that focus on innovation and invention.

PrioNet Canada is a Network of Centres of Excellence for research into prions and prion diseases. Prion diseases are untreatable, transmissible, and fatal neurodegenerative diseases of both humans and animals.

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Editors’ note: Backgrounder below

 

For more information contact:

Rosemary Malowany, Communications Director, Prion Institute

780-702-2724               

 

Terry Willock, Communications Director, ALMA              

780-638-1929                        

 

BACKGROUNDER

 

Why is it important to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of BSE testing in cattle?

Since the discovery of BSE in Canada in 2003, we have been challenged in maintaining and growing its market access. One option to achieving this could be the creation of a client-driven optional BSE test performed either pre or post-slaughter. The cost-benefit analysis will help determine if such a test would be beneficial in the marketplace.

 

What will the study analyze?

This cost-benefit analysis will look at whether the costs for the beef industry to perform client-driven optional BSE testing will be recaptured through market premiums.

 

What is the George Morris Centre required to do?

The centre will receive approximately $179,000 to analyze the benefits and costs of client-driven optional BSE testing either pre-or post-slaughter.

What is the status of a live BSE test?

Researchers are working on developing a live BSE test. The technology is advancing and sometime in the future a live test may be available for the beef industry. The University of Calgary recently received $1.5 million from ALMA to research a DNA-based testing approach to BSE in live cattle.

 

What BSE testing program does Alberta use now?

The Canada and Alberta BSE Surveillance Program (CABSESP) is a joint initiative between the Federal and Provincial governments that focuses on surveillance of animals that are at higher risk of being affected by BSE.

 

Canada and Alberta must demonstrate to the international community that BSE is being effectively controlled and that feed bans and other mitigation measures are working to eradicate the disease. To do this, a sufficient number of animals from 30 to 107months of age are required to be tested each year.

 

Having a credible BSE surveillance program helps maintain Canada’s Controlled Risk status for BSE, which allows cattle and meat products to be exported.