U.S. Reports First Case of Mad Cow Disease

[Guest guest]

The govenment is protecting the beef industry and not protecting the consumers.

 

Anyone who has been reading the messages here for some time knows that this has

been a hot issue here for some time. Frank

 

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews & storyID=4039307

 

U.S. Reports First Case of Mad Cow Disease

Tue December 23, 2003 06:09 PM ET

 

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Cowan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The first U.S. case of the deadly mad cow disease, which

devastated parts of the European agriculture industry in the 1990s, was found in

a sick animal in Washington state, a top U.S. official said on Tuesday.

The announcement led to an immediate drop in the shares of fast food companies

such as McDonald's, and analysts in Chicago predicted beef and grain prices

would fall sharply.

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said the disease was discovered in a Holstein

cow in Washington state. The animal was a " downer, " one that is too sick to

walk, she said.

Mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), has never

been found in the United States before but devastated the British industry in

the 1990s. Scientists believe humans can be infected with the brain-wasting

disease by eating diseased meat.

The U.S. cattle industry has long feared an outbreak of mad cow disease, which

could result in billions of dollars of losses.

" A single Holstein cow from Washington state was tested as presumptive positive

for BSE or what is widely known as mad cow disease, " Veneman said at a news

conference.

" Even though the risk to human health is minimal, based on evidence, we will

take all appropriate actions out of an abundance of caution, " she said.

The diseased animal was tested for mad cow disease on Dec. 9. A tissue sample

was being flown by U.S. military jet to an animal disease laboratory in England

for additional confirmation, Veneman said.

The farm where the cow was found was quarantined, and the USDA will hold daily

briefings on its investigation.

Veneman said she spoke with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. " I would

emphasize that based on the information available this incident is not terrorist

related.

She also urged American consumers not to panic.

" I plan to serve meat for my Christmas dinner, " Veneman added. " The risk to

human health from BSE is extremely low. "

On May 20, Canada confirmed that one Alberta cow, which was slaughtered in

January, had mad cow disease. The disease has been widespread in Europe and has

been linked to about 130 human deaths, mostly in Europe.

The discovery of the sick Canadian cow triggered an immediate halt of Canadian

meat exports by most countries as a precaution.

Because of concerns over mad cow disease, the European Union in 1994 banned

mammalian meat and bone meal from being used in cattle feed, but has allowed the

products to be used in feed for other animals like chickens, pigs and fish.

A spokesman for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange had no immediate comment and did

not know if the exchange would delay opening its Wednesday morning trading in

the CME's cattle contract.

 

 

 

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