| 12/30/2003 Mad-cow Beef Recall Expanded to Eight States - 12/28 Reuters Federal investigators cautioned, however, that the hunt for beef linked to the diseased cow was at an early stage. USDA said that the recall, which had already been underway in Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada, was expanded to Alaska, Montana, Hawaii, Idaho, and Guam. The sick cow was slaughtered along with 19 other cows at a Washington plant on Dec. 9. The meat from all 20 animals has been recalled, but some of the meat has already been consumed. Ron DeHaven, the U.S Department of Agriculture's chief veterinarian said the beef did not include brain, spinal cord or other risky tissues that carry the disease. No further progress was made as of Sunday in identifying the birth herd of the Washington cow, but information gleaned on Saturday pointed to Canada. A small silver ear tag attached to the diseased cow suggests that she may have been tagged in Canada. But officials from both countries said they won't know for sure until DNA tests are run. DeHaven said Canada has a semen sample from what is believed to be the sire of the diseased cow. By comparing DNA samples from both Canada and the United States, DeHaven said, a firm determination as to where the cow was born can be made. Since the discovery of mad cow in Washington, most major importers of U.S. beef, including Japan, Mexico and South Korea, have banned imports of American beef and cattle. The single case of mad cow disease could cost the U.S. cattle and beef industry billions of dollars. The U.S. exports about $3 billion in beef annually. A change in consumer demand would further damage the $175 billion industry. An outbreak of BSE in Europe in the early 1990s resulted in 137 human deaths, mostly in Britain, and British farmers destroyed nearly million cattle, Scientists believe the cow may have contracted the disease from eating contaminated feed years ago. Related Link: http://www.reuters.com |
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