Canada's province of Alberta has begun a nine-month pilot program changing the mix of cattle tested for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, including no longer testing cattle over nine years of age.

Alberta's Assistant Chief Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Gerald Hauer told Meatingplace.com the changes, which began July 1, do not affect protocols for cattle exhibiting symptoms associated with BSE, which will be tested regardless of age.

"Rather than chasing a lot of cattle from low-risk ages, we are going to focus on the higher-risk ages," said Hauer, noting that cattle infected with typical BSE would not normally live to the age of nine years. Consequently, under the complex point system under which the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) now assigns credit for BSE testing, these older cattle are not regarded as contributing as much to the testing program as testing cattle from higher-risk ages.

"The (OIE) scientists now realize that not all cows are created equal in terms of surveillance value," said Hauer.

Other changes being test-driven in Alberta include stricter age verification rules for tested animals and mandatory training and certification for all veterinarians taking testing samples. Previously, trained veterinarians were allowed to train others within their practice.

Hauer said the pilot program ends March 31, 2009, at which time its results will be evaluated and any needed adjustments will be made.

By Janie Gabbett on 7/17/2008 for Meatingplace.com