Hoopla Over Texas Cow
Inspectors failed to perform a required mad cow test on a suspicious cow in Texas, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Monday, just as the Bush administration is pushing to reopen world markets to U.S. beef.
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Last year, USDA tested only 20,000 cattle for mad cow disease, a level criticized by consumer groups as inadequate, out of about 36 million slaughtered. For an 18 month period starting in June, USDA aims to test at least 200,000 cattle.
US Mad Cow Test Procedure Violated in Texas-USDA – Reuters
The Japanese, who test every animal for mad cow disease, will not allow American beef imports again until the U.S. cattle industry does the same.
In order to resume selling beef in Asia, Stewart made an offer: He would test every animal that came through his facility for mad cow disease, and he would pay the cost of having the government oversee the tests.
But the U.S. Department of Agriculture refused.
“They’ve told us if we attempt to buy those test kits and use them, they are going to put me in jail,” Stewart said.
The government has never allowed private testing. And even though test kits are available, they are not licensed.
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The USDA estimates testing all cattle could cost $1 billion. The rest of the cattle industry, which could be forced by competition to test as well, is siding with the government.
Mad Cow, Madder Cattleman: Rancher Willing to Pay for Mad Cow Tests, But USDA Says No – ABCNews
The recent case of a Texas cow that had symptoms of mad cow disease but was not tested is not an isolated event, a federal veterinarian told UPI.
USDA vet: Texas mad cow breach not unique – Washington Times
USDA said no part of the animal, killed on April 27, entered the human food chain.
USDA Says Procedure Not Followed with Texas Cow – Reuters
The FDA planned to send a letter to the business saying it “will not object to use of this material in swine feed only” because pigs are not considered [emphasis mine] susceptible to mad cow disease, one in a family of illnesses known to infect grass-eating animals.
FDA Says Texas Cow OK for Swine Feed – Guardian
Animals that have been destroyed can still be processed at rendering plants that prepare animal byproducts for use in consumer goods, from cosmetics to gelatin for drug capsules. The government believes such items pose no risk to human health.
Ill Texas Cow Killed Before It Was Tested – Guardian
Commercial melatonin may be extracted from bovine pineal gland. There may be a risk of contracting mad cow disease.