On December 29th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it would be opening the border with Canada on a limited basis for certain cattle. On December 30th, the Canadian government announced it had an older dairy cow from Alberta that tested positive on two rapid screening tests. The USDA announced that regardless of the final test on the inconclusive case pending in Canada, it would proceed with its original announcement. Eventually, the final test confirmed a positive result (see “Newsline, page 8). At the same time, different groups sued the USDA for either going too far or not going far enough with its announcement to open the border.
In the meantime, the USDA continues to proceed on its ambitious accelerated BSE testing program. What was once thought to be too ambitious or unattainable appears to be clearly on schedule of 268,000 samples within 12 to 18 months. After 31 weeks of testing, 167,476 samples had been taken from animals in the high-risk category with every sample testing negative. During a three-week period in December, over 8,000 samples were collected each week. If the rate of samples continues of at least 5,000 samples a week, the goal of 268,000 will be reached in 12 months.
Renderers have accounted for the majority of the samples collected and tested. This is a tribute to an industry that stepped up to the task. It is safe to say that without renderers, the program would not succeed.
The testing program, however, has not been without a few hitches. The USDA has been harshly criticized for its handling of three inconclusive cases that were later confirmed as negative. Early in the program, inconclusive test results on two cows were announced to the public prior to getting the results of a confirmative test.
The media had a field day. Speculation as to the whereabouts of the animals in question ran the gamut. The cattle market dropped based on the rumors. The USDA reevaluated its procedures and came up with changes that it thought would improve the situation. But in late November when another inconclusive was announced prior to the confirmatory test results, the situation, to the dismay of many, basically repeated itself.
The issue is who controls the information. USDA officials believe it is better to get ahead of the leaks and rumors with an official statement. Unfortunately, by its own admission, the USDA, once an inconclusive is identified, cannot keep the lid on the leaks and subsequent rumors. Many in the industry have requested that no information be made public on any animal until the confirmatory test results are available. The debate continues with the USDA sticking with its existing policy.
At the current rate of testing without a single positive case, one wonders if the policymakers in Washington might be considering the possibility that BSE does not, in fact, exist in the United States. If so, let’s hope they are taking a second look at any additional regulations that will further hinder the livestock and meat industries. The existing firewalls appear to be working. It would be unfortunate to see the U.S. government go overboard with more rules and regulations for a situation that might not even exist.
The year 2005 will bring the continuation of many issues and the introduction of new ones. Of particular interest will be the National Renderers Association’s (NRA’s) efforts to inform and educate U.S. government policymakers on the importance of the proper disposal of animal by-products and fallen animals on the farm. Recently, several NRA members had the opportunity to meet with key personnel from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to apprise them of this very important issue and looming problem. The industry was well received and I believe there will be several opportunities to revisit them this coming year.
I only hope that at the next New Year’s Eve party I will not have to repeat that BSE is what continues to consume most of our time.
From the Association - February 2005 Render