U.S. not expected to block Canadian beef shipments

U.S. not expected to block Canadian beef shipments    The U.S. Department of Agriculture does not plan to block beef shipments from Canada after Canadian authorities confirmed another case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or “mad cow” disease, late last week.
   “Based on the information currently available, I do not anticipate a change in the status of our trade,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns in an April 16 statement.
   According to wire reports, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the 6-year-old infected cow did not enter the food chain. It’s the fifth cow in that country found to have the disease since May 2003. Canada has tested about 100,000 cattle for the disease.
   “It is important to note that Canada’s monitoring system identified this animal as one that should be removed from the food and feed supply chain, ensuring food safety continues to be protected,” Johanns said.
   The USDA dispatched an animal health expert to Canada on Monday to participate in the ongoing investigation.