Recommendation for U.S. BSE Risk to be Upgraded

Recommendation for U.S. BSE Risk to be Upgraded

Recommendation for U.S. BSE Risk to be Upgraded

I’m KayDee Gilkey with today’s Open Range.

In late February, the beef industry was given some good news from the Scientific Commission for the World Organization for Animal Health or (OIE) with their recommendation of the United States' risk classification for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) be upgraded to negligible risk.
Field reporter Greg Martin shares more about USDA’s Secretary Tom Vilsack’s response to the news.
Martin: “In a USDA news release Secretary Tom Vilsack said that that the U.S.’ classification as negligible risk for BSE by the OIE will greatly support efforts to increase exports of U.S. beef and beef products. In recommending that the United States receive negligible risk classification, the Commission stated that the risk assessments submitted for their evaluation were robust and comprehensive, and that both U.S. surveillance for, and safeguards against, BSE are strong. Vilsack went on to say that U.S. beef and beef products are of the highest quality, wholesome and produced to the highest safety standards in the world. He said the U.S. will continue to press for normalization of beef trade with several nations in a manner that is based on science and consistent with international standards. ”
Thanks, Greg.
The United States expects that formal adoption of negligible risk status for the United States will occur at the OIE General Assembly meeting in May, when it is considered.
 

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