Teaching Workshop: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
BSE Surveillance

BSE Surveillance - Responsibilities

• The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has primary responsibility for BSE surveillance activities and the actual testing.
  • FSIS has responsibility to notify APHIS of opportunities for testing.
  • If a sample is taken, FSIS will no longer allow the mark of inspection to be applied until the result from the APHIS testing comes back negative.

New FSIS Requirements

• On January 12, 2004 FSIS issued two notices regarding our activities for BSE surveillance
  • The Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program (published in the Federal Register)
  • Interim Guidance for Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle and Age Determination (for FSIS inspection personnel)

Non-ambulatory Disabled Cattle

• Cannot be slaughtered
• Cannot enter the slaughter plant

FSIS VMO Responsibilities

• FSIS Veterinary Medical Officers (VMOs) conduct ante-mortem inspection on all abnormal cattle presented for slaughter. VMOs must condemn cattle which are:
  • Dead and dying.
  • Non-ambulatory disabled.
  • Show symptoms of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, even if ambulatory.

When VMOs Contact APHIS

• FSIS VMO contacts APHIS Area Veterinarian-in-Charge (AVIC) in these cases:
  • If cattle are non-ambulatory disabled,
  • If cattle show signs of CNS disorders,
  • And, if there is reason to believe such cattle are 20 months of age or older.

FSIS VMO Responsibilities

• If a sample is collected for the APHIS BSE Surveillance program, FSIS VMO:
  • Ensures that all animal identification is maintained.
  • Maintains control of the animal until the plant documents how it will properly dispose of the animal.

FSIS VMO Responsibilities

• The APHIS Veterinarian-in-Charge notifies the FSIS VMO if it is not possible for APHIS personnel to get to the slaughter plant.
• In that case, the FSIS VMO:
• Maintains control of the animal until the plant documents proper disposal.
• Ensures the animal is humanely euthanized.
• Verifies disposal of the carcass.

FSIS VMO Responsibilities

• Verifies that the plant has properly disposed of the animals.
  • In accordance with 9 CFR 309.13 and 9 CFR 320.
• Maintains the records required by 9 CFR 320.
• Verifies rendering requirements met.
  • 9 CFR 309.13, 9 CFR 314.1 and 314.3

Condemned Cattle - Treatment

• At the request of the owner or operator, condemned cattle can be set apart and held for treatment. (9 CFR 309.13)
  • Treatment must be performed under the supervision of an FSIS program employee or designee of the District Manager.
  • The owner or operator must first obtain permission for the movement of such cattle from the local, State, or Federal livestock sanitary official having jurisdiction.

Further Information

• I urge you to review your workbooks. What I have discussed today is in:
  • FSIS Notice 5-04, Interim Guidance for Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle and Age Determination.
  • FSIS Notice published in the Federal Register, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program.