TORONTO, Dec. 28 Canadian officials have accused the United States of what they called “jumping the gun” in announcing that the mad cow disease most likely came from Canada.

“America announced its findings without DNA tests,” said Dr. Brian Evans, chief veterinary officer of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency while talking to newsmen on Sunday. “DNA tests, expected within days, will conclusively prove or disprove a Canadian connection,” he said.

US officials believe they’ve traced the infected cow back to a dairy farm north of Edmonton.

Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief veterinarian for the US Agriculture Department, said the animal was likely one of a herd of 74. He said the dairy cows were imported into Idaho from Alberta in August 2001.

Evans argued it’s premature to say Alberta was the source, noting there were significant discrepancies in the animal’s age. The age, he added, was significant because the animal may have been born before the United States and Canada in 1997 banned certain feed, which is considered the most likely source of infection.