Enhanced BSE Protection Measures Announced by US Agriculture Secretary

Strategic Insights -

US Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced additional measures to bolster the US protection systems against Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). These measures aim to further protect public health by strengthening protections against BSE, removing specified risk materials and tissues from the human food chain, and implementing a verifiable system of national animal identification. The measures follow the discovery of a BSE case in Canada in May 2003 and the recent positive test for BSE in a cow in Washington State.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US has had an aggressive surveillance, detection, and response program for BSE in place for over a decade.
  • Over 20,000 head of cattle have been tested for BSE in each of the past two years, 47 times the recommended international standard.
  • The US has banned imports of live ruminants and most ruminant products from the United Kingdom and other countries having BSE since 1989.
  • The FDA has prohibited the use of most mammalian protein in animal feed intended for cattle and other ruminants since 1997.
  • An independent analysis by Harvard in 2001 and 2003 shows that the risk of BSE spreading in the US is low.
  • The USDA will begin immediate implementation of a verifiable system of national animal identification.
  • The development of the national animal identification system has been underway for over a year and a half.

Statistics:

  • Over 20,000 head of cattle have been tested for BSE in each of the past two years.
  • 47 times the recommended international standard.
  • Since 1989, the US has banned imports of live ruminants and most ruminant products from the United Kingdom and other countries having BSE.
  • In 1997, the FDA prohibited the use of most mammalian protein in animal feed intended for cattle and other ruminants.

Sources:

  • US Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman, press release, December 30.
  • USDA, press release, December 23.
  • Harvard, independent analysis, 2001 and 2003.
  • US FDA, press release, 1997.
  • US Department of Agriculture, http://www.usda.gov/.