R-CALF Cattle Update: APHIS’ Plan To Lift Japan Beef Ban Premature

“In addition, USDA has yet to implement the scientifically recommended measures to prevent the potential for BSE amplification if it is introduced through imports,” said Missouri veterinarian and R-CALF USA Region VI Director Max Thornsberry. “USDA’s own scientists have strongly and consistently advised the agency to strengthen the U.S. feed ban by prohibiting plate waste from cattle feed before the U.S. lifts its ban on imported beef from any country where BSE exists.” Thornsberry, who also chairs the R-CALF USA Animal Health Committee, explained that the plate waste loophole would allow the uneaten portions of imported beef from BSE affected countries served at domestic restaurants to potentially enter the food chain for U.S. cattle. Although Japan currently performs a BSE test on all cattle slaughtered for human consumption, nothing in this rule indicates importation of beef from Japan would be required to cease if Japan decides to stop testing for BSE. “Ironically, while the USDA ignores this potential pathway for BSE infectivity, Japan has prohibited the feeding of plate waste to cattle since 2002. Japan has gone much further in developing systems to prevent exposure of cattle to BSE by prohibiting the feeding of blood meal and poultry meal.” Thornsberry explained that while Japan did not have a feed ban in place prior to 2001, it has since adopted the most stringent BSE risk-mitigation measures recommended by science, and will likely eradicate the disease from its cattle herds long before countries like Canada, which has chosen not to adopt stringent risk-mitigation procedures. Canada has chosen to implement only the minimal BSE-protection measures, despite recognition of multiple cases of the disease in Alberta. “It is a real irony that while USDA supports its proposed rule based on the fact that Japan conducts BSE tests on all cattle slaughtered in Japan, thereby ensuring that BSE-infected cattle are removed from the food chain, the agency continues to prohibit U.S. packers from voluntarily testing for BSE to meet Japan’s testing requirements, and as a means of restoring other U.S. export markets,” said Thornsberry. “The U.S. cattle industry deserves consistent and science-based standards from USDA, but this proposed rule is inconsistent with what the agency has stated are necessary standards for reopening U.S. export markets with countries the agency considers to be minimal risk for BSE,” said McDonnell. http://www.cattlenetwork.com/content.asp?contentid=8097

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