OTTAWA, ONTARIO — On May 15, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said it confirmed its 16th case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (B.S.E.) since 2003 in a six-year old dairy cow at an Alberta farm. No parts of the animal entered the human food or animal feed systems, the agency pointed out.

C.F.I.A. added the age and location of the infected cow are consistent with previous cases detected in Canada. Canada's B.S.E. surveillance program is being credited for the discovery.

Since Canada is a Controlled Risk country for B.S.E., this latest find should not affect Canadian cattle or beef exports, according to the C.F.I.A.