Reference

Preventing the spread of prion infections, particularly Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or "mad cow disease," in ruminant feed involves several critical safety measures:

1. Feed Bans: The most significant measure is the prohibition of feeding ruminant-derived protein to other ruminants. This ban is crucial as BSE is primarily transmitted through contaminated feed (sources: CFSPH, FDA).

2. Specifying Risk Materials (SRM) Removal: Banning the inclusion of specified risk materials (such as the brain and spinal cord) from animals older than 30 months in the animal feed to prevent potential contamination (source: CDC).

3. Cross-Contamination Prevention: Implementing strict protocols during the slaughter and processing of carcasses to avoid cross-contamination between infected and non-infected tissues (source: inspection.canada.ca).

4. Monitoring and Enforcement: Regulatory agencies, like the FDA, actively monitor and enforce these bans through regular inspections and testing to ensure compliance and effectiveness (source: GAO).

5. Surveillance and Testing: Continuous surveillance and testing of bovine populations for BSE are essential to quickly identify and manage any outbreaks, thereby preventing infected tissues from entering the feed chain (source: WOAH).

6. Public Awareness and Education: Informing feed manufacturers, farmers, and the general public about the risks of prions and the importance of these safety measures helps ensure widespread adherence to established guidelines.

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These measures collectively help mitigate the risk of prion diseases spreading through ruminant feed, safeguarding both animal and human health.