NCBA Statement on USDA Announcement
of BSE Case
Terry Stokes, Chief Executive Officer
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Centennial, Colorado
“A short time ago, the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) announced that it has confirmed a case of Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy (BSE, also known as mad cow disease) in a cow born
before the FDA feed ban.
“The animal did not enter the human food or animal feed supply.
“The bottom line for consumers remains the same: Your beef is
safe. Scientists, medical professionals and government officials agree
that BSE is not a public health risk in the United States. BSE infectivity
has not been found in beef, including steaks, roasts and ground beef.
“Since June 2004, the U.S. BSE Enhanced Surveillance Program
has tested more than 388,000 targeted animals at highest risk for
BSE and has found only this case, which confirms estimates that the
prevalence of this disease in the U.S. cattle population must be extremely
low.
“But as far back as the late 1980s, the U.S. government and
cattle industry have taken precautions to protect public and animal
health from BSE.
“To keep our beef supply safe, USDA mandates removal from the
food supply materials that would most likely carry the BSE agent (such
as brain and spinal cord). This process happens every day with every
animal to ensure this diminishing disease has no affect on public
health.
“To protect our cattle, one of the most important measures undertaken
is the FDA feed ban, which was championed by cattlemen and became
law in 1997. The feed ban prohibits feeding ruminant-derived protein
to cattle. BSE is not contagious; the disease is only known to spread
through feed so the feed ban breaks the cycle and helps assure the
disease will be eliminated. As USDA Secretary Johanns said in the
announcement today, ‘BSE is becoming very rare,’ like
‘searching for a needle in the haystack,’ because of the
effectiveness of the feed ban.
“We support Secretary Johanns’ recommendations and thorough
review of the testing protocol. It is important to remember this sample
went through a rigorous testing protocol prior to this determination,
and that all other samples tested in the U.S. BSE Enhanced Surveillance
Program – more than 388,000 – have tested negative.
“Because U.S. beef is safe from BSE, this announcement should
not affect ongoing discussion to reopen the border for beef trade
and we urge USDA to do everything within its power to send that message
to our trading partners.
“As America’s beef producers, our number-one priority
has always been providing the safest beef in the world. Our livelihood
depends on it and NCBA has worked with the government and top scientists
for more than 15 years to build, maintain and expand the safeguards
that today are protecting consumers and our cattle from BSE.”
Additional Information:
The government has built and maintained four effective firewalls to
ensure that U.S. beef remains safe from BSE:
In 2003, USDA strengthened its food safety program by banning from
the human food supply any cattle that are unable to walk. Cattle showing
signs of possible neurological disease always have been banned from
the food supply. The USDA also prohibited from the food supply anything
that could potentially carry BSE.
In 1996, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association launched
a voluntary feed ban, which established an industry standard against
feeding ruminant-derived protein to cattle. In 1997, with our support,
the FDA made the ban mandatory.
In 1990, the United States was the first country in the world without
BSE to begin a BSE Surveillance and Testing program.
In 1989, the United States was the first country in the world without
BSE to ban imports of beef, cattle products and cattle from countries
where BSE is prevalent.
To learn more about BSE, information can found at the following Web
sites:
Centers for Disease Control Q&A: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cjd/bse_cjd_qa.htm
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cjd/bse_cjd_qa.htm>
Food and Drug Administration Q&A: www.fda.gov/cber/bse/bseqa.htm#a1
<http://www.fda.gov/cber/bse/bseqa.htm#a1>
U.S. Department of Agriculture Q&A: www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/bse/bse_q&a.html
<http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/bse/bse_q&a.html>
Beef Industry Scientific Panel Information Resource: www.BSEinfo.org
<http://www.bseinfo.org/>
