EDMONTON (May 22, 2003) — The investigation that began with a single cow confirmed to contain mad cow disease spread further into Alberta and across provincial lines yesterday.

Investigators identified two more farms in northern Alberta, and another in northwest Saskatchewan where it’s believed the animal may have originated from. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has ordered the entire herd from the original farm to be destroyed and checked for bovine spongiform encephalopathy — more commonly known as mad cow disease.

The incident has left cattle farmers, shippers, meat packers, and carriers in a state of confusion, as it remained unclear how long the investigation would continue. Officials hinted that more farms would need to be investigated and perhaps quarantined, and could not confirm that the infected meat had not entered the food chain. In fact, the agency did admit there’s a possibility the infected cow’s offspring may have already wound up on supermarket shelves.

The latest news indicates the investigation could take longer than expected, delaying the lifting of a beef ban imposed by the U.S., Japan, Australia and South Korea. Industry leaders have already said that the ban, coupled with an already depressed livestock market and falling U.S. dollar, would devastate the Canadian beef and livestock industry if it continues much further.

Lisa Vossler, manager of Grace Cattle Haulers in Brooks, Alta. says businesses have been virtually left in the dark. “There’s been no real communication,” she told Today’s Trucking. “It’s been that the borders are closed, and that’s about it, and no one seems to want to elaborate until they figure out the complete history of (the original) cow. Everybody’s just holding their breath right now.”

She admits there’s a concern that if the situation escalates, livestock importers, exporters, and carriers in both Canada and the U.S. will wash their hands of cross-border business all together. “I think that was already happening to some degree,” says Vossler, adding her company had cut down hauling to the U.S. because of the exchange rate and border delays in recent months. “Now with this, everybody in the U.S. who has access to other cattle is utilizing it already.”

Meanwhile, while Prime Minister John Chretien enjoyed a steak lunch during a photo-op to assure Canadians our beef is safe, truck drivers crossing into the U.S. were being warned not to pack any meat or meat by-products in their lunches if they intend on crossing the border, the Ontario Trucking Association said. If any such items are found in the cab they will be confiscated. The OTA warned that possession of such meals would only slow down entry into the U.S. even further.

Related products that are also restricted beyond beef or live cattle include sheep, goats, cervids, camelids, animal feed, pet food, and processed fats and oils. For a complete list of restricted products visit the CFIA at: www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml.