01/24/06 U.S. still open to Canadian cattle

American Rancher January 24, 2006 Another Alberta, Canada born and raised cow had BSE. The Canadian Food Inspection agency made that announcement Monday making it the 4th case of BSE in a Canadian cow in Alberta since May of 2003. The agency says no part of the animal, believed to be about six years old, entered the human food or animal feed chain. The discovery of another BSE positive cow in Alberta born after Canada imposed its ruminant to ruminant feed ban, suggests the feed ban broke down at some point in the late 1990's. Brian Evans, chief veterinary officer for Canada, says enhancements to Canada's feed ban are already in the works. Evans: "In an effort to shorten the time required to eliminate BSE the FIA has prepared enhancements to the feed ban. These enhancements have been analyzed and consulted on through Canada Gazette processes and we are prepared to make recommendations to the incoming government. " U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns issued a statement saying that based on the information Canada has supplied regarding this latest case, he anticipates no change in the status of beef or live cattle imports to the U.S. from Canada. Johanns expressed confidence in the safeguards the U.S. and its approved beef trading partners have in place to protect the food supply. The National Farmers Union called on Johanns to immediately suspend all imports of Canadian cattle and beef. I'm Bob Hoff.