Agriculture and Forestry Minister Mitch Murphy said the investigation of BSE from one cow in northern Alberta is ongoing. He made the statement today following a conference call with federal agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief and his provincial counterparts.
"We were informed that officials are completing their traceback investigation and are receiving laboratory results from the depopulated herds," said Mr. Murphy. "Assuming negative test results, this means that the federal government will be in a much stronger position to discuss lifting the ban on exports to the United States and other trading partners."
Results are expected to be available by Friday, June 6.
The minister said the current crisis is having a deepening impact on the Prince Edward Island cattle industry. "This week is a critical one for movement towards resolution of BSE," he said. "Island producers need normalization of markets to address cashflow issues."
Mr. Murphy also said the outbreak of BSE from one cow in Alberta, which has caused the virtual shutdown of the Canadian cattle industry, demonstrates the need for constructing a new beef processing facility for the Maritime provinces and serving a regional market.
"We will continue to participate in the resolution of the BSE issue with other provincial governments and the federal government for a science-based resolution," he said. "Everyone involved is working tirelessly to have markets return to normal."