Canada’s BSE Story Presentation to the Ontario Association of Bovine Practitioners November 6, 2003

Overview Occurrence had its origins 21 years ago Consequences have been minimized by collective of successive risk based decisions Impacts at many levels –producer –processor and agri-business –animal and public health community –consumer –international

The Story So Far No ruminant meat and bone meal imports for decades from BSE affected countries 1989 suspension of live animal imports 1990 BSE made notifiable disease –tracing and monitoring program of imports 1992 surveillance program established 1993 imported case detection 1994 removal of remaining imports

The Story So Far 1997 feed ban in excess of WHO recommendations Hemispheric approach with U.S. and Mexico 1998 submission to EU GBR process 2000 revised BSE risk assessment 2003 detection of indigenous case

The Story So Far Possibilities considered –Imported –Indigenous –Exposure to contaminated feed –Maternal transmission –Spontaneous mutation of prion –Other transmissible spongiform encephalopathy –Agro-terrorism event

The Story So Far Our considered evidence based determination: –Indigenous case traced to farm in Saskatchewan confirmed via DNA with corroboration by animal ID born prior to ruminant feed ban in 1997 –Exposed to contaminated feed early in life calf starter ration containing meat and bone meal produced prior to feed ban source of contamination asymptomatic U.K. animal imported between which entered feed chain prior to removal of all U.K. origin animals in 1994

The Story So Far No evidence of significant prevalence Policy adjustments: –specified risk material removal –increased surveillance intensity –feed restrictions –enhancements to identification/traceability –education/awareness –import review

Perspective Need to clearly define the desired long term objectives –re-establish Canada as free of BSE –redefine international response to occurrence –maintain public and consumer confidence –optimize public and animal protection –market access recovery with minimal intrusion and impact

Perspective Policy objective will be achieved as a collective result of integrated and interdependent measures No measure is a stand alone measure nor should it be considered in isolation All measures must be time limited with an appropriate exit strategy

SRMs, Surveillance and Feeds SRMs are the critical means to provide public health protection Surveillance is the critical means to prove country status and the effectiveness of measures in place over time Feed restrictions are the critical means to prevent amplification and eliminate BSE from the animal population

Good News Competence and capacity profiled –OIE –FAO –International Expert Team Risk communication with public Consumer confidence sustained Effectiveness of measures Opportunity to profile synergy between animal and public health objectives

Areas of Concern Impacts disproportional to the risk Severe consequences serve as a deterrent to detection and reporting…wrong message Vulnerabilities of poor succession planning in critical science competencies Impacts of fragmented or isolated decisions and cutbacks by various jurisdictions

Lessons Learned Public tolerates risk if communication is timely, consistent and transparent Decision making must be both evidence and values based Reciprocity in level of protection applied to import and export expectations Emergency management phases require effective transition in interjurisdictional lead

Lessons Learned Management of stress and recognition of effort is critical Prevention, preparedness and response elements better developed than recovery Requirement for synergy and integration of systems at the national level Communication challenge is daunting Conflict created by diverse interests

Lessons Learned Domestic market confidence must be the priority as it affords recovery potential for external market access Managing of expectations must be inclusive process

Future Needs Education of producers –traceability –disease reporting Expanded TSE diagnostic and research network Veterinary and science competency demographic strategy Integrated and inclusive approaches to public and animal health and food safety

“What lies behind us and what lies in front of us pales in comparison to what lies within us.” Emerson