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Officials comment on negative BSE test results
The U.S. Department of Agriculture release a statement on Nov. 23, saying that the Nov. 18 inconclusive bovine spongiform encephalopathy tests had been confirmed negative.
"The USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, has determined that the inconclusive screening test sample reported on Nov. 18 has tested negative for BSE upon confirmatory testing," said John Clifford, Deputy Administrator for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in a statement.
The sample was the first to test inconclusive twice in the rapid testing process. The procedure changed in August when the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it would test all inconclusive s again under the rapid screening process and only publicly announce it when two inconclusive results were received.
"NVSL used the immunohistochemistry (IHC) test, an internationally-recognized gold standard test for BSE, and received a negative result on Nov. 22. Because the Nov. 18 screening test results were reactive in both the first and second screens, NVSL scientists made the recommendation to run the IHC test a second time. On Nov. 23 they reported the second IHC test was negative. Negative results from both IHC tests makes us confident that the animal in question is indeed negative for BSE," Clifford said.
"APHIS began an enhanced surveillance program on June 1 and to date has tested over 121,000 samples for BSE. Screening tests are designed to be extremely sensitive and false positives are not unexpected. APHIS has reported three inconclusives including the Nov. 18 sample and all have tested negative on confirmatory testing."
Other statements made following the Nov. 23 announcement included:
"At this point, more than 120,000 samples have been collected through this program and, with today's announcement, no positives have been confirmed. This exercise illustrates the U.S. beef industry's commitment to stringent adherence to federal testing mandates and USDA transparency in reporting. It is important to note the USDA took the appropriate steps and precautions to ensure no potentially contaminated beef entered food or feed supplies."
--Philip Seng, U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO
"What Americans need to know is that the U.S. government and cattle industry will continue to protect public and animal health from BSE. For example, this animal never entered the human food supply, nor did it enter the animal feed chain, proving the systems in place are working to protect public and animal health.
"As America's beef producers, our number-one priority is producing the safest beef in the world. Our very livelihood depends on it. As a rancher, a mother and a grandmother, I know the beef I produce is served in homes around the world, including my family's home. That's why we will continue to work with the government and top scientists, as we have over the past 15 years, to maintain safeguards that today are protecting consumers and our cattle from BSE."
--Jan Lyons, National Cattlemen's Beef Association President and cattle producer, Manhattan, Kan.
Date: 11/24/04
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