Rib Ends:
Notes, news 'n' notions
Another case of BSE in
Alberta
On Aug. 15, the CFIA confirmed a BSE case in a six-year-old
beef cow from Alberta. No part of the animal's carcass entered
the human food or animal feed systems. Through continued support
from producer participation, the BSE surveillance program targets
the highest risk animals and has tested more than 220,000 cattle
since 2003. The detection of this animal does not affect Canada's
status as a BSE controlled risk country as recognized by the
World Organization for Animal health (OIE).
Buying locally
Consumers are feeling better about buying their foods locally,
especially since the recent outbreak of listeria in some Maple
Leaf Foods processed meat. One customer said he's been buying
local steaks and ground beef at William Mulder's Fresh Meats
(at the Boyce Farmers' Market in Fredericton, N.B.) for years
because he likes to know where his meat comes from. Mulder said
he's not certain if the listeria outbreak would encourage more
people to buy local meat products, but he's confident his business
will continue to attract quality-beef buyers. (TDG, Sept. 3/08)
Loss of a great man
Jim Roger "Tex" McInnis of Nappan, N.S., passed away
Aug. 7 after a courageous two-month battle with cancer. He will
be deeply missed by his loving wife and soul mate, Lorelei, along
with his precious children, Jacy, Cheyenne, James, and Miranda.
Jim had farmed all his life and next to his family, it was his
passion. It was hard to find someone who didn't know him. He
was well respected by his peers both personal and business. He
was known as a hard worker and great family man. For more on
Jim, see page 35.
Kanters joins BIC team
Janet Kanters is the new Stakeholder Communications Manager
of the Beef Information Centre (BIC), the beef market development
division of the CCA. Over the past 17 years, she has held positions
with Alberta Agriculture and Food, the Alberta Agricultural Research
Institute (AARI) and Agriculture Financial Services Corporation
(AFSC). Her writing has been published in various agricultural
magazines and newspapers, and has resulted in many awards. You
can reach Janet by phone, 403-275-5890, ext 310; or by email
jkanters@beefinfo.org.
Mexico blocks Alberta cattle
Mexico has banned imports of live cattle from Alberta, following
the discovery of Canada's 14th case of BSE in the province last
week. The country is banning imports of beef and dairy breeding
cattle but not stopping the flow of beef into the country
in a move Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said
has no legitimacy from a scientific perspective. Rob McNabb,
general manager of operations at the CCA, said Mexico has given
written notice of the ban to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,
but no further details about a timeline were available. (AFcom,
Aug. 21/08)
New CCA logos
The CCA has two new logos as of Aug. 13 one for Canada
and the U.S. and one for the rest of the world. The most distinct
difference in the logos is the absence of a cow's image in the
one destined for North American markets. This is apparently based
on marketing research into the preferences of North American
consumers. Dave Andrews, of the Canadian Cattlemen Market Development
Council, said "in Canada and the U.S., consumers are less
willing to identify the beef they eat with an actual image of
the animal." (WP, Aug. 21/08)
New lady in charge
Pamela Harnden of Dryden, Maine, is now the new Executive Director
of The Maine Beef Producers Association. In this position, Harnden
will serve Maine beef producers as a liaison between the Association,
Maine's Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension, the
Maine Beef Industry Council, Aroostook Beef Producers, and other
related organizations. She will also be in charge of increasing
membership, serving as a resource for all members, creating and
maintaining a website, publishing monthly newsletters, and assisting
with all sales and events sponsored by the Association.
Japanese expand feedlots
Apparently some Japanese meat processors are expanding their
own feedlot operations to fill a growing demand for domestically-raised
beef and poultry amid consumer concerns about food safety. It's
all well and good, but U.S. Meat Export Federation Economist
Erin Daley told Meatingplace.com that Japan is still heavily
reliant on U.S. agricultural products. Japan's beef production
increased 3.7 percent during its 2007-2008 fiscal year, and is
up three percent so far this year. "Even if Japan increases
domestic production, they will still rely on some level of imported
red meat," Daley said. (MP, Aug. 28/08)
Court sides with USDA on BSE
The USDA can prohibit meat packers from testing cattle for BSE,
a federal appeals court ruled late last week. The ruling by the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia overturns
an earlier federal court decision stating Arkansas City, Kan.-based
processor Creekstone Farms Premium Beef must be allowed to test
for BSE because USDA can only regulate disease "treatment."
The test doesn't qualify as a treatment, the ruling said, because
there is no cure for BSE and the test is conducted on dead animals.
However, the appeals court ruled that a diagnosis can be deemed
a facet of treatment. (MP, Sept. 2/08)
