The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has said that Canada, Mexico and the US have established a harmonised approach to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) risk mitigation to more effectively address any BSE risk in North America.
The USDA said the approach consists of a science-based framework of risk management measures for BSE that has been developed with the objective of helping normalise trade in ruminants and ruminant products within North America and to promote an international BSE strategy consistent with World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines.
“The minimum standards defined in the report have not been codified throughout North America. Rather, they will be considered by the appropriate animal health and public health officials in each country through their respective regulatory processes,” the USDA said, adding that the recommendations do not change the requirements in place for products currently being traded.
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