Preliminary screening conducted by the Province of Manitoba and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has detected a potential case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in a mature crossbred beef cow born well before 1997 implementation of Canada's feed ban.
No part of the animal's carcass entered the food or animal feed systems. Samples have been sent to the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg for confirmatory testing. Final results are expected next week.
As with all previous cases, the animal was identified through Canada's surveillance program. In Manitoba, the CFIA and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives collaborate closely to collect and analyze samples for BSE testing.
The CFIA has begun a preliminary examination of the animal's history. If confirmatory testing yields positive results, a full investigation, conducted in accordance with international standards, will be launched.
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