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USDA Move to Decrease BSE Surveillance Defies Logic, Says DeLauro

Date: July 20, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Food Processing and Sales

USDA Move to Decrease BSE Surveillance Defies Logic, Says DeLauro

- Canadian case revealed last week in youngest cow yet -

- Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today issued the following statement on USDA's announcement to decrease surveillance of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), also known as ‘mad cow' disease. DeLauro is the ranking member of the House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee, with jurisdiction and oversight responsibilities of USDA and its budget.

"We are all relieved that the enhanced surveillance program found few incidents of domestic cases of BSE, but these findings have not diminished the threat of this deadly disease. With Canada confirming another BSE case last week - this time in the youngest cow yet to have contracted the disease - today's announcement defies logic.

"BSE surveillance is part of a series of interlocking safeguards, but scaling back one of these protections has serious repercussions for both U.S. consumers and producers. To say that BSE testing is not a food safety program is stunning. How can we justify that to the American farmers that cannot sell their beef abroad?

"The quality of the enhanced surveillance system was already called into question because of the voluntary nature of the samplings and the lack of randomness. How can we scale back an already questionable program when our trading partners have expressed concern over a reduction?

"The best proof of the high quality of American beef is the continued negative BSE findings supported by the highest surveillance possible. The administration should be working to increase our surveillance of BSE, not scaling it back."

http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2006/July/BSE_testing_7_20_06.html

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