BSE Notfiable Diseases Health & Disease

Canadian mad cow case causes concern

US - The latest Canadian mad cow case is raising serious concerns in the United States about Washington's plans to expand its beef trade with Canada, while trying to restore normal trade with the Australian dominated Japanese and Korean markets.

10 May 2007

1 minute read

North America

United States Agriculture Department (USDA) officials say even after Canada's 11th case of mad cow disease, the US must base its trade on science if it wants Japan and Korea to expand imports of US beef.

But North Dakota US Senator Byron Dorgan and others see it differently.

"I think the US Department of Agriculture has their head in the sand on these issues, the Secretary is trying to allow more Canadian cattle coming in," Senator Dorgan said.

But National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) spokesman Jay Truitt believes expanded trade with Canada is no threat to US exports to Asia.

"The activity that's taking place inside the United States and Canada that removes the risk of BSE and the spread of BSE is the removal of the specific risk materials," he said.

Source: ABC Online