| ||||
|
|
USDA updates BSE investigation
DES MOINES (DTN)--As the U.S. Department of Agriculture continues its investigation of the single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy found in the U.S., one farm-state lawmaker wants more done to get bans on U.S. beef lifted.
In its latest update on the BSE investigation, USDA confirmed one animal that came into the United States from Canada at the same time as the infected cow went to a dairy in Quincy, Wash. USDA said as many as seven animals that crossed the border at the same time as the infected cow may have been sent to this facility.
"We are working to confirm how many may remain at this facility," said USDA officials. "The state has placed a hold on this facility in order to aid the investigation."
Japan and Mexico have both sent delegations to the United States to discuss the BSE response and ongoing investigation. These countries, along with 49 others, have banned U.S. beef from crossing their borders. At least one U.S. senator worries these bans may be more about disrupting trade than food safety.
Senator Chuck Grassley, R-IA, told reporters Jan. 14 he plans to ask the White House to appoint someone with international trade experience to make sure the countries that have banned U.S. beef are not using the ban as a non-tariff trade barrier.
"Clayton Yeutter, former secretary of agriculture, or someone of his caliber, could study whether the beef bans are being used to protect each of the country's consumers or if it's a cover for keeping U.S. products out of their country," said Grassley during his weekly telephone news conference.
Grassley added, "History has proven the demand for U.S. beef in Japan has increased substantially since 10 years ago when a Japanese official told us that U.S. beef wouldn't work in the digestive system of Japanese consumers."
The following is a list of 51 countries that have either a full or partial ban on U.S. beef imports: Japan, Poland, Chile, Brazil, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa, Egypt, Mexico, China, Australia, Indonesia, Columbia, Israel, Thailand, Bulgaria, Peru, Venezuela, Cost Rica, Panama, Saudia Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Quatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Turkey, Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, Surinam, St. Vincent, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Ecuador, Bolivia, Vietnam, Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Brunei, Philippines, Argentina, Dominican Republic, United Arab Emirates.
USDA began selective depopulation of the index herd (the last herd the infected cow was a part of) Jan. 10. That process continues. USDA plans to transport, humanely euthanize and test approximately 130 animals in the index herd. USDA summarized the investigation so far:
--Eighty-one cows came from Canada with the positive cow.
--One of the 81 is the BSE-positive cow.
--One of the 81 has been located at a dairy in Quincy, Wash. USDA believes that seven may have gone to this facility.
--USDA is currently reviewing records to determine how many may remain at this facility.
--Three are under a hold order at a premise in Mattawa and will be removed in the near future.
--Nine are in the index herd. Some of the remaining cows that came in that shipment may be on the index premises, but at this time the identity of these animals has not been confirmed.
Date: 1/21/04
Copyright 1995-2008. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com
 
| |||||||||||||||||||
