Chronology of BSE-Related Events and Government Initiatives

Federal, provincial and territorial ministers of Agriculture (except for Quebec) announce a cost-shared National BSE Recovery Program to provide temporary assistance to the beef industry so that it may continue to operate while borders are closed.  The estimated cost of the program is $460 million, of which the federal portion is $276 million and the provincial/territorial portion is $184 million.

A group of international experts from the “Office international des épizooties” (OIE) tables its Report on Actions Taken by Canada in Response to the Confirmation of an Indigenous Case of BSE.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) announces measures requiring the removal of specified risk materials (SRM) from carcasses of cattle older than 30 months.  SRM are tissues that, in infected cattle, harbour the BSE agent.  The new SRM policy comes into effect on 24 July 2003.

Quebec joins the National BSE Recovery Program.

Bison, elk, deer and sheep are included in the National BSE Recovery Program in Alberta.

The United States announces a partial reopening of its border by allowing imports of boneless meat from cattle less than 30 months old.

Mexico announces similar measures.

AAFC announces two new measures:  the first provides a $36-million federal extension to the National BSE Recovery Program (combined with additional support from the provinces, the extension could top $60 million).  The second measure provides advanced disaster assistance payments to producers as a transition measure until the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) Program comes into force.

Russia allows the partial resumption of beef imports, for both cattle less than 30 months old and cattle over 30 months if tested and certified negative for BSE.

The United States proposes to amend its BSE regulations by creating a new category of “low-incidence countries,” which would have the effect of ending the import ban on live Canadian cattle less than 30 months old.  The proposed rule is subject to comment and input from the industry and would include new protocols for the resumption of imports of live ruminants and ruminant products.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food tables a report entitled The Investigation and the Government Response Following the Discovery of a Single Case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, which includes seven recommendations.  The Standing Committee recommends, notably, that SRM be excluded from animal feed as recommended by the group of international experts in their Report on Actions Taken by Canada in Response to the Confirmation of an Indigenous Case of BSE.  The Committee also asks the Competition Bureau to launch “an investigation into the pricing of beef at the processing and retail levels.”  In a letter to the Standing Committee’s Chair, the Competition Bureau responds that it is not in a position to initiate such an inquiry.

The CAIS program is officially launched.

A positive BSE test result from a single cow in Washington State is announced.

The federal government announces interim import restrictions on U.S. beef.  Canada will continue to import U.S. boneless beef from cattle aged less than 30 months, live cattle destined for immediate slaughter, and dairy products, semen, embryos and protein-free tallow.

DNA testing indicates that the BSE-infected animal detected in Washington State was born in Alberta.

The federal government announces a commitment of $92.1 million over five years to enhance measures for identification, tracking and tracing, and to increase BSE surveillance and testing.

The federal government announces a commitment to bilateral technical discussions between Canadian and Japanese officials to examine ways to re-establish Canadian beef exports.

In joint statements, the United States, Canada and Mexico agree to enhance efforts to increase harmonization and equivalence of BSE regulations in North America.

AAFC announces that the United States will reopen the comment period on a rule that would amend regulations regarding the importation of certain classes of live cattle and animal products from countries – including Canada – with a minimal risk of BSE.

The federal government announces the Transitional Industry Support Program (TISP), which will provide:

1. $680 million for producers of cattle and other ruminants.  Producers will receive a flat-rate payment based on their herd inventories (except for mature bulls and cows);
2. $250 million in transition payments to help producers address income challenges in moving to the new CAIS program;
3. $65 million to “top up” the Canadian Farm Income Program for the 2002 program year.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food tables a report entitled Canadian Livestock and Beef Pricing in the Aftermath of the BSE Crisis.  The report includes five recommendations, notably that the Minister of Industry instruct the Commissioner of Competition to conduct an inquiry into the pricing of slaughter cattle and beef, and that an independent body be engaged to conduct a comprehensive study of the competitive aspects of the cattle and beef products industry in Canada.

End of the U.S. comment period on the proposed rule that would allow the importation of live Canadian cattle and other ruminants to the United States.

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry tables a report entitled The BSE Crisis – Lessons for the Future.  The Committee recommends that part of the venture capital funding announced in the 2004 federal budget be directed toward additional value-added capacities in the livestock sector, and that a permanent NAFTA agricultural secretariat be set up with the mandate to make recommendations for actions by NAFTA partners to regulate the trade flow when a sanitary or phytosanitary issue occurs.

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry tables a report entitled The BSE Crisis – Lessons for the Future.  The Committee recommends that part of the venture capital funding announced in the 2004 federal budget be directed toward additional value-added capacities in the livestock sector, and that a permanent NAFTA agricultural secretariat be set up with the mandate to make recommendations for actions by NAFTA partners to regulate the trade flow when a sanitary or phytosanitary issue occurs.

The United States lifts import restrictions on ground beef, bone-in cuts of beef and offal from animals younger than 30 months.  The import of live cows and meat from older animals from Canada remains banned.

R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America files a complaint against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in a U.S. District Court for the District of Montana to halt the importation into the United States of an expanded list of Canadian beef products (bone-in meat, ground beef, etc.).

Canadian Cattlemen for Fair Trade, a group of Canadian cattle producers, files a lawsuit against the U.S. government seeking $150 million under a provision of NAFTA.

The federal government announces a strategy to reposition Canada’s livestock industry. The government commits federal funding of up to $488 million.  The strategy will contain the following elements:

1. continue efforts to reopen the U.S. border;
2. facilitate the increase in domestic slaughter capacity ($66.2 million);
3. assist the industry until slaughter capacity is increased via CAIS, TISP, cattle and feeder set-aside programs, and other programs ($384.7 million);
4. increase the international market share for Canadian beef ($37.1 million).

Canada and China sign two protocols to restore trade in livestock genetics.  These protocols cover the import conditions for Canadian bull semen and cattle embryos to China.

U.S. and Japanese officials reach a framework agreement that determines the conditions under which the trade of beef products will resume.

The USDA completes the drafting of a new rule that will allow the resumption of trade in live cattle and ruminants.  The rule is forwarded to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for final approval.  The rule identifies regions where there is “minimal risk” of BSE and provides for the importation into the United States of live cattle less than 30 months for immediate slaughter or for feeding, provided they are slaughtered before reaching the age of 30 months.  It also allows the importation of meat from cattle over 30 months and removes segregation requirements at Canadian slaughter facilities.

Hong Kong resumes trade in Canadian boneless beef from animals less than 30 months.

The U.S. OMB completes its review of the proposed “minimal risk” rule on BSE and returns it to the USDA for publication in the Federal Register.  The rule is expected to take effect on 7 March 2005.

AAFC announces that preliminary tests have identified BSE in a 10-year-old dairy cow.

The CFIA announces the detection of BSE in an Alberta beef cow just under seven years of age.  The animal was born in March 1998, after the 1997 feed ban.  Contaminated feed produced prior to the introduction of the 1997 feed ban is suggested as the most likely source of infection.

The CFIA announces proposed regulations to remove import restrictions that were introduced following the detection of BSE in Washington State on 23 December 2003. The CFIA plans to permit the importation of U.S. live cattle born in 1998 or later, and U.S. beef from cattle of any age from which SRMs have been removed.

Secretary Johanns announces that because the U.S. investigations into recent BSE cases in Canada are not complete, the USDA will delay the effective date for allowing imports of beef from animals 30 months and over.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food tables a status report, Financial Analysis Relative to Meat Packing Companies in the Context of the BSE Crisis of 2003.  Based on information from five meat packing companies, the report finds that these companies had incurred higher expenditures in 2003 but also reported higher gross and net profit margins than in previous years.

The USDA releases its assessment of the Canadian ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban.  The report states that “Canada has a robust inspection program, that overall compliance with the feed ban is good and that the feed ban is reducing the risk of transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the Canadian cattle population.”

The U.S. District Court in Montana issues a preliminary injunction preventing the USDA “minimal risk” rule from taking effect until R-CALF’s April 2004 case against the USDA is heard.

The U.S. Senate votes to reject the USDA “minimal risk” rule that would permit trade to resume in Canadian beef and cattle less than 30 months of age.

AAFC announces a $50-million contribution to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association’s Legacy Fund to help launch a campaign to reclaim and expand markets for Canadian beef.

The U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the USDA, files a request with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit asking that the court overturn the decision issued by the U.S. District Court in Montana.

Cuba reopens its border to live Canadian cattle and beef products.

Canada, the United States and Mexico release a harmonized North American BSE strategy.

The Conservative Party of Canada announces its intention to file for intervener status in the Montana court case.

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry releases an interim report, Cattle Slaughter Capacity in Canada.  The Committee makes a number of recommendations aimed at facilitating the increase in slaughter capacity in Canada.

The OIE updates its guidelines (the International Animal Health Code chapter on BSE) to reflect the latest science, the low risk associated with BSE and the effectiveness of risk-mitigation measures.

AAFC reallocates funds from existing measures, new initiatives include the Herd Management for Older Animals Program – Cost shared 60/40 with participating provinces.  Other measures include modifications to the Ruminant Slaughter Loan Loss Reserve Program and $10.2 million to offset costs to producer organizations that maintain infrastructure related to genetic improvement of breeding animals.

The USDA confirms that BSE was found in a 12-year-old beef cow born and raised in Texas.

Ruling of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in the United States overturns the preliminary injunction issued by the District Court in Montana.

Canadian live cattle shipments are permitted to enter the United States.  Eligible shipments include cattle and bison less than 30 months of age for immediate slaughter and feeding.

The federal government announces the establishment of the Beef and Cattle Trade Advisory Group (BCTAG).  The BCTAG will help identify trade priorities related to market access and market development.

Japan agrees to reopen its border to Canadian beef and selected beef products form cattle aged 20 months and younger.

The CFIA confirms that BSE was found in a roughly six-year-old cross-bred cow born and raised in Alberta. 

Mexico expands market access for a wider range of Canadian and U.S. beef products including imports of bone-in beef.

The USDA confirms that a cow in Alabama tested positive for BSE.

The U.S. District Court of Montana denies a request from Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund (R-CALF) to permanently dose the U.S. border to Canadian cattle and other ruminants.

CFIA confirms that BSE was discovered in a cow from British Columbia. 

The federal government announces that the Canadian border will be opening to a broader range of animals and animal products from the United States.  Effective immediately, all classes of U.S. cattle, including those for breeding purposes born after 1999, as well as beef from cattle over 30 months of age will be permitted to enter into Canada.

The CFIA confirms that BSE was discovered in a mature cross-bred beef cow from Manitoba.

The CFIA confirms that BSE was found in a 50 month-old dairy cow from Alberta. 

The CFIA confirms that BSE was found in a mature beef cow from Alberta. 

AAFC announces the Canadian Integrated Traceability Program (CITP).  The CITP will support pilot projects which demonstrate integrated approaches to traceability implementation across the value chain.

The CFIA announces the implementation of a revised protocol for the ongoing reporting of BSE in Canada.  All new BSE detections will be reported through the CFIA’s website.  Reporting will occur once the CFIA’s world reference laboratory for BSE-the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease-has fully confirmed a diagnosis.

The Russian Federation agrees to lift its ban on the import of Canadian breeding cattle.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announces a proposed rule to expand the list of allowable imports from countries recognized as minimal risk.  Currently, Canada is the only minimal-risk country designated by the United States.

The proposal expands upon the rule published by APHIS in January 2005 that allowed the importation of certain live ruminants and ruminant products, including cattle under 30 months of age for delivery to a slaughterhouse or feedlot.  APHIS is proposing to allow the importation of:

1. live cattle and other bovines for any use born on or after, 1 March 1999; and
2. blood and blood products derived from bovines, collected under certain conditions and casings and part of the small intestine derived from bovines.

The rule remains open for comment until 12 March 2007.

The CFIA confirms the diagnosis of BSE in a mature bull from Alberta. 

The CFIA confirms the diagnosis of BSE in a mature dairy cow (66 months) from British Columbia. 

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) at its 75th General Session announces that Canada is officially categorized as a Controlled BSE Risk(1) country.  A similar classification was announced at the Session for the United States.

A Quebec Superior Court ruling has allowed a multi-billion dollar class-action lawsuit against the federal government’s actions during the mad cow crisis to proceed.  The lawsuit was filed on behalf of roughly 20,000 Quebec farmers in 2005 who argue that Ottawa’s mismanagement of the BSE file led to billions of dollars in losses for the country’s cattle industry.

USDA implements its final rule regarding the importation of animals and animal products that have minimal risk of BSE.  The U.S. border is now open to the following Canadian meat and livestock products:

• live cattle and other bovines (e.g., bison) for any use, including breeding, born on or after 1 March 1999;
• meat and meat products from animals of any age; and
• blood and blood products derived from bovines, collected under certain conditions.

Canada, U.S., and Mexico announce that they have reached an agreement harmonizing North America to the OIE standards for trade in bovine breeding stock that will also allow Canadian cattle to be shipped through the U.S. to Mexico.