With the confirmation of a new BSE case in Canada, Minister Strahl has invited the United States to participate in the epidemiologic investigation. We will dispatch a USDA animal health expert to Canada on Monday.
Early this morning, we were notified that an inconclusive BSE test result was received on a rapid screening test used as part of our enhanced BSE surveillance program. The inconclusive result does not mean we have found another case of BSE in this country. Inconclusive results are a normal component of screening tests, which are designed to be extremely sensitive so they will detect any sample that could possibly be positive.
"I am extremely pleased that our trade officials in Tokyo today were able to conclude an agreement with Japanese officials that paves the way for a resumption of beef trade. Export sales are very important to our cattle and beef industry, amounting to 10% of our total production. Sales to Japan alone exceeded $1.7 billion last year before trade was halted due to our finding one case of BSE in the United States."
U.S. and Japanese officials in Tokyo today reached a framework agreement that will permit the resumption of beef trade between the two countries following a ten-month interruption.
On October 21, 22 and 23, 2004, the Government of the United States (USG) and the Government of Japan (GOJ) held Director-General level consultations in Tokyo on the resumption of beef trade between the two countries.
(May 21, 2004) With Bill Hawks, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Services, Dr.Elsa Murano, Under Secretary for Food Safety, Dr. Ron DeHaven, Administration, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Dr. Barbara Masters, Acting Administrator, Food Safety Inspection Service - Washington D.C.
(March 15, 2004) From Technical Briefing on BSE and Related Issues With Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman and USDA Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Ron DeHaven Washington D.C.
(Feb. 23, 2004) On Animal Health Issues with Dr. Ron DeHaven, Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas Animal Health commission, Dr. Nancy Cox, Centers for Disease Control and Dr. Steve Sundlof, FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine Washington D.C.
(Feb. 9, 2004) Announced that the field investigation of the case of BSE in a cow in the State of Washington is complete. This will be the last written daily update. However, information will be provided in the future on an as needed basis.
(Feb. 5, 2004) Samples taken from the Mabton index herd, the herds in Mattawa, Connell, Boardman, Quincy, Tenino, Moxee, Othello, and Burley have tested negative for BSE. To date, there have been a total of 255 samples taken; all samples have tested negative for BSE.
(Feb. 3, 2004) In addition, the 242 samples from the Mabton index herd, the herds in Mattawa, Connell, Boardman, Quincy, Tenino, and Moxee have tested negative for BSE - for a total of 252 samples that have tested negative. The final test results for the samples taken at the second Mabton, WA, facility, are not yet available.
