Statement of the Hon. DeLauro on USDA Instructions Not to Test Sick Animal for Mad Cow

Statement of the Hon. DeLauro on USDA instructions not to test sick animal for mad cow

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT) today released the following statement in response to news that Department of Agriculture (USDA) staffers made a decision not to test a sick cow in Texas that displayed symptoms consistent with bovine spongiform encephalapathy (BSE). Tuesday, DeLauro questioned why the USDA had not followed their own rules and tested the cow. Today, in light of information that USDA officials made a pro-active decision not to test the animal, DeLauro is asking the General Accounting Office (GAO) for an investigation into the USDA's procedures and why the rules were not followed.

"The news is more appalling every day. Yesterday, we learned that USDA procedures were not followed in testing with the sick animal, and today we learn from a news report that it was a deliberate decision allegedly by an Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) senior regional official overruling other USDA employees at the food plant. This raises serious questions about USDA's current testing and surveillance procedures and about the Department's sincerity in instituting more stringent procedures. Today's news begs the question 'What prompted the decision not to test the cow?' and to that end, I am asking for a GAO investigation to ensure that there is not any kind of a cover up taking place."