09/06/05 June BSE case wrap up

American Rancher September 6, 2005 The USDA last week announced the results of its now concluded investigation of the Texas cow that was confirmed positive for BSE in June of this year. USDA chief veterinarian John Clifford said the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service attempted to trace all adults animals that left the Texas ranch where the 12 year old Brahma cross cow was born as well as all the animal's progeny born within two year's of the cow's death. Clifford: "We are extremely pleased with the results of the investigation. It shows that there were no widespread problem associated with the index herd. It also shows the ruminant feed ban is solid. It also affirms that USDA's interlocking system of safeguards to prevent BSE from entering the food chain is working as it should." Clifford emphasized that to date only two cases of BSE have been found in the U.S. and more than 452-thousand animals have been tested in the past 14 months. Clifford: "All evidence is that the prevalence is extremely low and continues to decline given the length of time the ruminant feed ban has been in effect." Doctor Steve Sundlof of the Food and Drug Administration said the investigation into feed found that no feed or feed supplement used on the Texas ranch since 1997 were formulated to contain prohibited mammalian protein. Due to that finding, and the fact the cow was born before the 1997 feed ban, Sundlof said the FDA concluded the animal was most likely infected prior to the ruminant feed rule. I'm Bob Hoff.