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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2005

Statement of Rep. Stephanie Herseth on latest BSE finding in Canada:

“Since USDA announced intentions to open borders to Canadian beef on March 7th, there have now been two cases of BSE discovered in Canada. However, this second discovery is even more serious than the first, as it appears the animal was born after the 1997 ruminant to ruminant feed ban went into effect. The evidence keeps mounting that opening the border presents a real and serious risk to our food supply and cattle producers, and the Department has no reasonable rationale remaining for maintaining its timeline for opening the border.

“Ranchers across South Dakota have expressed to me their worry and unease with opening the border, and I will communicate their views to the Department. With this new and heightened risk, I will continue to urge outgoing Sec. Veneman and incoming Sec. Johanns to keep the border closed while we continue to discover BSE in Canada. This latest finding drives home the need to keep the border closed indefinitely. The safety of our food supply and the livelihood of our cattle producers are at risk.”