WINNIPEG, (Jan. 2, 2005) – A series of preliminary tests on a 10 year-old Alberta dairy cow show that Canada likely has another positive case of mad cow on its hands, sparking fears that the nation’s beef industry workers may take yet another devastating blow.

Canadian officials confirmed the suspected case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) a day after the Bush Administration delivered a belated Christmas present to Canadian beef industry workers by announcing it will finally reopen its border to live cattle exports on March 7, 2005 following a 19-month shutdown.

Results from final laboratory tests in Winnipeg are expected any day now, but there has been widespread speculation that the final “gold standard” test — like several not-yet conclusive tests before it — will determine the cow is infected with BSE.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture stated that the new suspected case, if officially confirmed, would not at this time throw off track the government’s plan to reopen the border to live cattle and other beef shipments. USDA spokesperson Alisa Harrison told news agencies that officials factored in the possibility of future mad cow cases when making the decision to lift the ban on Canadian cattle.

Last week, the USDA released a 500-page document outlining rules and restrictions that must be followed by cattle farmers, slaughterhouses, and exporters for live cattle trade to resume.

The rule — which also recognizes Canada as being at minimal-risk for mad cow disease — allows live cattle under 30 months of age and beef from animals of any age as long as the tissues that are suspected of being targets of BSE (brain, spine) are removed at slaughter. Currently only boneless cuts of beef from younger animals are allowed.

The Canadian beef industry, including cattle haulers, has been eagerly awaiting an announcement to reopen the border in recent months. In late November U.S. President George Bush himself hinted that he would expedite plans to lift the ban, which first went into effect just hours after a single Alberta cow was confirmed to have BSE in May 2003.

But this newest mad cow case must be deja vu for beef-industry workers. It was just over one year ago, in December 2003, when a second cow originating from Alberta was found in Washington Sate with BSE. That incident quickly iced any developing negotiations between Canada and the U.S. to reopen the border. Most industry officials say that second case most likely extended the original ban until now.

The newest mad cow scare will in all likelihood give more ammunition to U.S.-anti-trade groups and protectionist government officials opposed to the Bush Administration’s plan to reopen the border.

While the USDA seems to be holding firm on the March reopening, spokesperson Harrison did confirm that the agency still has discretion to make changes to the plan.

— with files from Canadian Press & Associated Press