File photo of a platter of sliced raw beef served in Singapore for use in shabu-shabu, a Japanese-style hotpot dish. (Kenneth Chew/iStock/Getty Images)

Singapore clears all Canadian beef for import

Country first to lift BSE-era restrictions under new status

Canada’s new official international status as a “negligible risk” country for bovine spongiform encephalopathy now has its first recognition from a beef-importing nation. Singapore has approved the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s certificate for exports of all Canadian beef, including beef offal, with no restrictions on the age of the cattle from which the beef was […] Read more

Updating the handling requirements for specified risk material in processing facilities is a priority with Canada’s negligible risk designation.

Negligible risk status may mean more market access for Canadian beef

Historic designation opens doors for conversations on removing BSE-era trade restrictions for beef products, feeder cattle access and processing requirements

This spring, a difficult chapter for the Canadian beef industry came to a close after almost two decades. In late May, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Scientific Commission approved Canada as having negligible risk for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), moving from controlled risk status to the disease’s lowest risk level of transmission. This […] Read more


Following the economic hardship from BSE, 26,000 beef producers exited the industry between 2006 and 2011.

CCA reports: CCA works to end BSE-era restrictions

From the August 2021 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

One would say 2021 is turning out to be a year to remember starting with the pandemic and then a massive drought throughout western North America. B.C. ranchers are seeing their ranges burning up. Prairie ranchers are wondering how they will feed their cattle and where they will get water. On the bright side, we […] Read more

Comment: BSE purgatory flanked by drought

Comment: BSE purgatory flanked by drought

After 18 years, we are crawling out of BSE purgatory, having been deemed “negligible risk” by the World Health Organization (OIE). Unfortunately, drought has bookended the BSE period for many beef farmers and ranchers. For me, the onset of BSE has always been linked to the drought of 2001 and 2002. The second year of […] Read more


A Western blot analysis, used to detect specific proteins in tissue samples, is used to confirm BSE in cattle. (Peggy Greb photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

OIE ruling turns page on BSE in Canada

Canada's BSE status upgraded to 'negligible risk'

The international body overseeing countries’ animal disease control measures has assigned Canada the lowest level of risk for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) — a move which stands to help clear away lingering trade barriers against Canadian beef. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on Thursday announced it has delivered “negligible risk” status for BSE […] Read more

A Western blot analysis, used to detect specific proteins in tissue samples, is used to confirm BSE in cattle. (Peggy Greb photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Canada clears step toward ‘negligible risk’ BSE status

OIE delegates to vote in late May, CFIA says

The international committee that reviews countries’ requests for animal health status on specific diseases has called for Canada to level up on its status for BSE. The Scientific Commission of the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health), which last met virtually over Feb. 1-12, has recommended to OIE delegates that Canada’s application seeking “negligible risk” […] Read more





A drone captured this file photo of cattle on pasture in Brazil’s Mato Grosso state. (JoseMoraes/iStock/Getty Images)

Brazil reports atypical BSE case

Sao Paulo | Reuters — The Brazilian government reported on Friday a case of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in an animal in Mato Grosso state, according to a statement from the country’s agriculture ministry. The ministry said the case of BSE, also known as mad cow disease, was detected in a 17-year-old cow. It […] Read more

Wagyu beef on skewers at a Tokyo market. (Michal_Staniewski/iStock/Getty Images)

Japan now accepting Canadian OTM beef

The last of Japan’s BSE-related restrictions on Canadian beef are lifted as of last Friday, with the Japanese government’s agreement to allow beef from Canadian cattle over 30 months of age (OTMs). Citing industry estimates, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said the added access announced Tuesday could mean an increase of up to 20 per cent […] Read more