transitional tse measures canada expressed concern about loss of access to the ec markets for pet food live bovine animals embryos ova and tallow in the wake of the adoption of transitional tse measures by the european communities. canada stated that the ec regulations classified countries according to four levels of risk but applied only two levels of risk management. according to the oie criteria canada was bse-free yet canadian exports faced identical trade restrictions to ec member states in which bse was prevalent. these problems would be compounded by ec animal waste regulations due in 2002 which threatened to prohibit the few remaining animal products that canada could still export to the european communities. canada requested to be removed from the scope of application of these measures. the united states agreed that the european communities was applying stringent measures to countries that were either not affected by bse or which had significantly different risk factors. this approach lacked scientific justification and ran counter to international standards. the european communities explained that the transitional measures laid down import conditions for products of bovine ovine and caprine origin and would be extended to cover certification of other products of animal origin. pet food was included to protect consumers health. an exemption was made for countries classified in category one presence of bse unlikely but neither canada nor the united states were in this category. in june 2007 canada indicated that his authorities considered both specific trade concerns numbers 96 and 107 to be resolved as they had been overtaken by the oies new risk assessment framework and categorization system for bse risk posed by countries. the ec geographical bse risk assessment had led to concerns regarding the consistency of the risk analysis and the possibility of reviewing risk assessments over time. the ec transitional tse measures resulted in the classification of countries according to four levels of risk but only recognized two levels of risk management. the oie had made amendments to the animal health code which updated the risk assessment framework and bse categorization. as previously reported canada was recognized as a controlled risk country for bse. the european communities had decided to use the new oie standards. the european communities noted that the ec measures on bse had always been intended to be interim measures. the european communities had clearly indicated that the measures would be adapted in light of oie standards but that interim measures were required to protect health while the oie completed its work. the interim measures had been proportionate fair and science-based especially when compared to the measures imposed by other members. when cases of bse had occurred in canada and the united states the ec measures had not been changed in any way whereas many other members had imposed unjustified measures. now the oie had completed an excellent job in preparing appropriate standards and the european communities had adapted its measures immediately to ensure full conformity with the new oie standards. this modification had already been notified to the sps committee and the european communities was the first member to fully adopt the new oie code. members had voiced their confidence in the international standards earlier and the european communities invited all members to quickly adopt the oie standards on bse.