The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) recently received information provided by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) about a confirmed classical case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE, also known as "Mad Cow Disease") detected in a cattle in Alberta, Canada.

According to the information from the Canadian authorities, the affected animal that tested positive was detected on a farm in Alberta through the Canada's BSE surveillance program and it was confirmed as a classical BSE case afterward. No part of the animal's carcass entered the human food or animal feed systems. The CFIA's investigation is underway.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (now known as WOAH, and formerly known as OIE) provides international standards for BSE and recommendations on the safe trade of meat and other products, even from countries with BSE. Canada, at present, is recognized by the organisation as a controlled BSE risk country. The CFS follows the organisation's recommendations and has imposed necessary import control measures on the importation of Canadian beef for the protection of Hong Kong's public health.

The CFS has liaised with the Canadian authorities over the issue. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation.