USDA Report on Alabama cow

[2centsworth]

USDA RELEASES REPORT ON INVESTIGATION INTO ALABAMA BSE CASE
May 2, 2006

USDA's Animal and Health and Inspection Service (APHIS) today released the results of an investigation into a BSE case identified in Alabama in March and noted that the animal was a non-ambulatory red crossbred, and that dentition determined that the animal was more than ten years old.

The ten-year age determination is significant because it indicates that the animal was born prior to the implementation of FDA's 1997 feed ban that minimizes the risk that a cow might consume feed contaminated with the agent thought to cause BSE. The animal was euthanized on the farm and a veterinarian submitted brain samples for testing. The animal was buried on the farm and did not enter the food supply.

APHIS and Alabama State officials investigated 36 farms and 5 auction houses and conducted DNA testing on herds that may have included relatives of the index animal. APHIS and State investigators were unable to find any related animals except for the two most recent calves of the index animal. The most recent calf was located at the same farm as the index animal and the second calf died the year before. No other animals of interest were located. The living calf of the BSE-positive animal is currently being held at APHIS' National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, for observation.

"APHIS' investigation did not reveal the BSE-positive animal's herd of origin," USDA Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford, DVM, said. "However, this was not entirely unexpected due to the age of the animal, along with its lack of identifying brands, tattoos and tags. Experience worldwide has shown that it is highly unusual to find BSE in more than one animal in a herd or in an affected animal's offspring."

To ensure that adequate feed controls were in place in the feed facilities in the immediate geographic area of the index farm, FDA conducted a feed investigation into local feed mills that may have supplied feed to the index animal after the 1997 feed ban. This investigation found that all local feed mills that handle prohibited materials have been and continue to be in compliance with the FDA's feed ban.

As part of APHIS' BSE enhanced surveillance program, more than 700,000 samples have been tested since June 2004. To date, only two of these highest risk animals has tested positive for the disease as part of the surveillance program, for a total of three cases of BSE in the United States.

"While APHIS' epidemiological investigation did not locate additional animals of interest, it is important to remember that human and animal health in the United States is protected by a system of interlocking safeguards, which ensure the safety of U.S. beef," Clifford said. "The most important of these safeguards is the ban on specified risk materials from the food supply and the FDA's 1997 feed ban. "

 

[flounder]

:lol2: :lol2: :lol2:



Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, Jan. 26, 2004

FDA Press Office
301-827-6242
Expanded "Mad Cow" Safeguards Announced
to Strengthen Existing Firewalls Against BSE Transmission


snip...


The first interim final rule will ban the following materials from
FDA-regulated human food, (including dietary supplements) and cosmetics:

* Any material from "downer" cattle. ("Downer" cattle are animals that
cannot walk.)
* Any material from "dead" cattle. ("Dead" cattle are cattle that die on the
farm (i.e. before reaching the slaughter plant);
* Specified Risk Materials (SRMs) that are known to harbor the highest
concentrations of the infectious agent for BSE, such as the brain, skull,
eyes, and spinal cord of cattle 30 months or older, and a portion of the
small intestine and tonsils from all cattle, regardless of their age or
health; and
* The product known as mechanically separated beef, a product which may
contain SRMs. Meat obtained by Advanced Meat Recovery (an automated system
for cutting meat from bones), may be used since USDA regulations do not
allow the presence of SRMs in this product.


snip...


http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2004/hhs_012604.html


NOW, for the rest of the story ;


BARB'S


Origin Herds Generating Multiple BSE Cases in Animals Born After 31 July 1996 (Born After the Reinforced Feed Ban (BARB) cases)

Two herds of origin have each generated three confirmed BARB cases, and 9 herds of origin have each generated two confirmed BARB cases. (The management of two of the herds which each generated two BARB cases, is linked.)

Note:
The table above does not include two confirmed cases of BSE in animals which died in December 2005 on a Somerset farm. These two cases were identified under the compulsory BSE surveillance programme, an aspect of which requires the UK to test all fallen stock cattle aged 24 months or over. The dates of birth of these two animals are unknown although they are likely to have been born after July 1996. Disease was confirmed on 24 January 2006.

snip...

Multiple Cases and the South West Wales Cluster
Eleven herds in Great Britain have generated a total of 24 BARB cases. These include two triple BARB cases (Pembrokeshire and Wiltshire) and nine paired BARB cases (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Shropshire, Ceredigion and Orkney). Most of these natal herds are located in South West/ West England or South West Wales. The historic management of two of the three Ceredigion paired BARB case herds is such that these two herds can be regarded together as generating one quadruple BARB case: the two natal herds, are based at two premises. The four BARBs were moved to a third premises at approximately 2-months of age for rearing as a single unit, and remained there until approximately 30-months of age, when they returned to their natal premises.

21/24 of the multiple cases succumbed to BSE in their natal herds. 19/24 of the multiple cases have been detected by active surveillance. At least 11/13 of the subsequent BARB cases were cohorts of the index cases. 6/13 of the subsequent BARB cases were detected through the cohort cull which commenced in March 2005.

These findings support a common feed source during the first 12 months of life in each of the affected herds. A statistical analysis of the number of multiple BARB cases, carried out in 2005, provides evidence that BARB cases do not all occur by chance.

There is also an epidemiologically significant cluster of 8 BARB cases born between 1 August 1997 and 31 July 1998 in South West Wales. These cases include the quadruple BARB case and one of the paired BARB cases, and all the animals received feed from two local feed mills.

In 2005, another herd in South West Wales experienced a BSE case born in October 2001. The subsequent cull of the cohorts of this case detected two further cases born in September 2001 and May 2002. Detailed epidemiological investigations of the herd of origin suggested that these three cases were the result of infected feed from a local mill retained in a feed bin. The feed bin had been in use for adult cattle since September 1998, but was moved and filled with calf rearer feed in late July 2002. One or more bulk consignments of imported feed contaminated with infective material, supplied in 1998/99 to several local feed mills, is believed to have produced the South Wales BARB clusters.

A report of the feed investigations into herds generating the cluster of BARB cases in South West Wales and into herds experiencing multiple BARB cases is available below:


http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/bse/con ... erban.html




SRM REMOVAL USA


UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE
QUARTERLY ENFORCEMENT REPORT October 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005


snip....


CARGILL MEAT SOLUTIONS 00086K M DODGE CITY, KS X X On 10/11/05, a
withholding action concerning labels for Advanced Meat Recovery System
product was taken in accordance with 9 CFR Part 500.8.


EXCEL CORP 00086R M FORT MORGAN, CO 2/22/05 X X On 8/11/04, a withholding
action concerning labels for Advanced Meat Recovery System product was taken
in accordance with 9 CFR Part 500.8. On 12/22/04, plant appealed the
withholding action. Appeal was denied on 1/25/05.


00245L M LEXINGTON, NE 3/12/04 3/18/04 X 5/4/05 X X On 3/10/05, a
withholding action concerning labels for Advanced Meat Recovery System
product was taken in accordance with 9 CFR Part 500.8.

9/16/05 9/29/05 X X TYSON FRESH MEATS INC. 09268 M PASCO, WA X X On 7/28/04,
a withholding action concerning labels for Advanced Meat Recovery System
product was taken in accordance with 9 CFR Part 500.8.

TYSON FRESH MEATS INC. X X 00245D M EMPORIA, KS On 12/23/04, a withholding
action concerning labels for Advanced Meat Recovery System product was taken
in accordance with 9 CFR Part 500.8.


DESERET MEAT 04852 M SPANISH FORK, UT 7/20/05 8/1/05 X X 12/29/05 The
enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the establishment to
comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk material.


NORTHERN PACKING COMPANY INC. 00571 M BRIAR HILL, NY 12/9/05 12/23/05 X X X
X The enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the establishment
to comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk material.


A.J. CEKAK'S MEAT MARKET 9/1/05 9/20/05 X X X On 9/1/05, an enforcement
action
21562 M
concerning failure to meet regulatory ORD, NE requirements for Escherichia
coli Biotype 1 (E. coli) was taken. The enforcement action included, as a
basis, failure of the establishment to comply with Agency requirements
concerning specified risk material.


ALTA VISTA LOCKER
10/5/05 10/26/05 X X The enforcement action included, as a 31931 M basis,
failure of the establishment toALTA VISTA, KS comply with Agency
requirements
concerning specified risk material.


BROWN'S PROCESSING 13100 M13100 P ELSBERRY, MO 8/8/05 8/16/05 X X X 11/16/05
The enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the establishment to
comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk material.


CHAMPLAIN BEEF INC 2/28/05 3/4/05 3/8/05 X X X
08547 M
WHITEHALL, NY
10/17/05 X X X The enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the
establishment to comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk
material.


FIVE STAR PACK INC. 9/1/05 9/9/05 X X 12/29/05 On 9/1/05, an enforcement
action
08725 M08725 P
concerning failure to meet regulatory GOLDEN CITY, MO requirements for
Escherichia coli Biotype 1 (E. coli) was taken. The enforcement action
included, as a basis, failure of the establishment to comply with Agency
requirements concerning specified risk material. FRESH FARMS BEEF 12/16/05
12/28/05 X X X The enforcement action included, as a 18579 M basis, failure
of the establishment toRUTLAND, VT comply with Agency requirements
concerning specified risk material.


GOETZ AND SONS WESTERN 11/15/05 11/23/05 12/1/05 X X
MEATS INC
06245 M06245 P
EVERETT, WA
12/17/05 12/28/05 X X X On 12/17/05, firm violated a regulatory control
action by selling U.S.D.A retained product.


H AND P MEATS 21352 M SOUTH PITTSBURG, TN 7/28/05 8/8/05 8/17/05 8/19/05 X X
The enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the establishment to
comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk material.


HOPKINS PACKING COMPANY 11069 M BLACKFOOT, ID 7/28/05 8/1/05 X X The
enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the establishment to
comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk material.


NORTHWEST PREMIUM MEATS LLC 11032 M11032 P NAMPA, ID 7/26/05 7/29/05 X X
11/15/05 The enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the
establishment to comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk
material.


PARADISE LOCKER MEATS 31865 M31865 P TRIMBLE, MO 9/21/05 10/7/05 X X The
enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the establishment to
comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk material. PARAGON
SPRAY DRYING, LLC 31762 M31762 P WAUKON, IA 9/6/05 9/12/05 X X X The
enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the establishment to
comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk material.


RANDALL MEAT COMPANY 10669 M HOT SPRINGS, AR 7/1/05 7/28/05 10/12/05
10/24/05 X X X The enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the
establishment to comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk
material.


S & S MEAT COMPANY 01046 M01046 P KANSAS CITY, MO 8/4/05 8/19/05 X X
11/16/05 The enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the
establishment to comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk
material.


STEAK MASTER 21159 M21159 P ELWOOD, NE 11/4/05 11/17/05 X X X The
enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the establishment to
comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk material.


THE MEAT SHOP 31561 M BENSON, VT 8/18/05 9/6/05 9/9/05 X X X X X The
enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the establishment to
comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk material.


THEURER'S QUALITY MEATS, INC 31647 M31647 P LEWISTON, UT 7/27/05 7/29/05 X X
The enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the establishment to
comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk material.


TOOELE VALLEY MEATS 20594 M20594 P GRANTSVILLE, UT 7/25/05 8/1/05 X X The
enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the establishment to
comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk material.


WALNUT VALLEY PACKING LLC 32007 M32007 P EL DORADO, KS 12/15/05 12/30/05 X X
X The enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the establishment
to comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk material.


YODER BROTHERS MEAT PROCESSING 17301 M PARIS, TN 10/3/05 10/12/05 X X The
enforcement action included, as a basis, failure of the establishment to
comply with Agency requirements concerning specified risk material.


full text 54 pages ;


http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/QER_Q1_FY2006.pdf





----- Original Message -----
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr."
To:
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 4:26 PM
Subject: USDA FSIS QUARTERLY ENFORCEMENT REPORT (BSE) July 1, 2005 through
September 30, 2005


##################### Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy #####################


Subject: USDA FSIS QUARTERLY ENFORCEMENT REPORT (BSE) July 1, 2005 through
September 30, 2005
Date: March 20, 2006 at 12:58 pm PST


UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE
QUARTERLY ENFORCEMENT REPORT July 1, 2005 through September 30, 2005


snip...


Administrative Actions Pending or Taken at Small HACCP Plants [includes
actions initiated in prior quarters]


snip...


DESERET MEAT 04852 M SPANISH FORK, UT
07/27/05
08/01/05
X
X
On 7/27/05, a suspension action concerning Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
and Specified Risk Material was taken in accordance with 9 CFR Part 500.3.


snip...


Administrative Actions Pending or Taken at Small HACCP Plants [includes
actions initiated in prior quarters]


snip...


MONTEBELLO MEAT PROCESSING, INC 19075 M19075 P MANATI, PR
08/01/05
08/18/05
X
X
X
09/26/05
On 8/1/05, an enforcement action concerning Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
and Specified Risk Material was taken in accordance with 9 CFR Part 500.4.


snip...

Table 7. Administrative Actions: Very Small HACCP Plants (7/01/05 to
9/30/05)


snip...


A.J. CEKAK'S MEAT MARKET 09/01/05 09/20/05 On 9/1/05, an enforcement action

21562 M

concerning failure to meet regulatory ORD, NE requirements for Escherichia
coli X X X Biotype 1 (E. coli) and Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy/Specified Risk Material was taken in accordance with 9 CFR
Part 500.4.


snip...


Administrative Actions Pending or Taken at Very Small HACCP Plants [includes
actions initiated in prior quarters]


snip...


BROWN'S PROCESSING 13100 M13100 P ELSBERRY, MO
08/08/05
08/16/05
X
X
X
On 8/8/05, an enforcement action concerning Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
and Specified Risk Material was taken in accordance with 9 CFR Part 500.4.


snip...


Administrative Actions Pending or Taken at Very Small HACCP Plants [includes
actions initiated in prior quarters]


snip...


FIVE STAR PACK INC. 08725 M08725 P GOLDEN CITY, MO 09/01/05 09/09/05 X X On
9/1/05, an enforcement action concerning failure to meet regulatory
requirements for Escherichia coli Biotype 1 (E. coli) and Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy/Specified Risk Material was taken in accordance with 9 CFR
Part 500.4.


snip...


Administrative Actions Pending or Taken at Very Small HACCP Plants [includes
actions initiated in prior quarters]


snip...


H AND P MEATS 21352 M SOUTH PITTSBURG, TN 07/28/05 08/08/05 08/17/05
08/19/05 X X On 8/17/05, a suspension action concerning Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy and Specified Risk Material was taken in accordance with 9
CFR Part 500.3.


snip...


HOPKINS PACKING COMPANY 11069 M BLACKFOOT, ID
07/28/05
08/01/05
X
X
On 7/28/05, a suspension action concerning Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
and Specified Risk Material was taken in accordance with 9 CFR Part 500.3.


snip...


Administrative Actions Pending or Taken at Very Small HACCP Plants [includes
actions initiated in prior quarters]


snip...


NORTHWEST PREMIUM MEATS LLC 11032 M11032 P NAMPA, ID 07/26/05 07/29/05 X X
On 7/26/05, a suspension action concerning Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
and Specified Risk Material was taken in accordance with 9 CFR Part 500.3.


snip...


PARADISE LOCKER MEATS 31865 M31865 P TRIMBLE, MO
09/21/05
X
X
On 9/21/05, an enforcement action concerning Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy and Specified Risk Material was taken in accordance with 9
CFR Part 500.4.

PARAGON SPRAY DRYING, LLC 31792 M31792 P WAUKON, IA
09/06/05
09/12/05
X
X
X
On 9/6/05, an enforcement action concerning Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
and Specified Risk Material was taken in accordance with 9 CFR Part 500.4.


snip...


Administrative Actions Pending or Taken at Very Small HACCP Plants [includes
actions initiated in prior quarters]


snip...


RANDALL MEAT COMPANY 10669 M HOT SPRINGS, AR
07/01/05
07/28/05
X
X
X
On 7/1/05, an enforcement action concerning Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
and Specified Risk Material was taken in accordance with 9 CFR Part 500.4.


snip...


Administrative Actions Pending or Taken at Very Small HACCP Plants [includes
actions initiated in prior quarters]


snip...


08/04/05

08/19/05

On 8/4/05,

an enforcement action 01046 M01046 P concerning Bovine SpongiformKANSAS
CITY, MO X X Encephalopathy and Specified Risk Material was taken in
accordance with 9 CFR Part 500.4.


Administrative Actions Pending or Taken at Very Small HACCP Plants [includes
actions initiated in prior quarters]


snip...


THE MEAT SHOP 08/18/05 09/06/05

09/09/05

On 9/6/05, a suspension action 31561 M concerning Bovine SpongiformBENSON,
VT Encephalopathy and Specified Risk Material was taken in accordance with 9
CFR Part 500.3. XX X X X


THEURER'S QUALITY MEATS, 07/27/05 07/29/05

On 7/27/05, a suspension action INC concerning Bovine Spongiform31647 M31647
P Encephalopathy and Specified Risk X X

LEWISTON, UT Material was taken in accordance with 9 CFR Part 500.3.


TOOELE VALLEY MEATS 07/25/05 08/01/05

On 7/25/05, a suspension action 20594 M20594 Pconcerning Bovine Spongiform

GRANTSVILLE, UT X X Encephalopathy and Specified Risk Material was taken in
accordance with 9 CFR Part 500.3.


snip...


52 pages


http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/QER_Q4_FY2005.pdf

TSS

 

[flounder]

Subject: USDA STATEMENT Regarding the Conclusion of the Epidemiological Investigation Into BSE POSITIVE IN ALABAMA
Date: May 3, 2006 at 7:13 am PST

May 2, 2006 - Sparks Announces Conclusion of Epi Investigation of BSE Positive Cow
MONTGOMERY – Commissioner Ron Sparks has announced that the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have completed their epidemiological investigation regarding a cow that tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Alabama in March.


May 2, 2006 - Sparks Announces Conclusion of Epi Investigation of BSE Positive Cow
May 2, 2006 - Sparks Announces Conclusion of Epi Investigation of BSE Positive Cow

The results indicate that the positive animal, called the index animal, was a red crossbreed. This animal was non-ambulatory on the farm, known as the index farm, and examined by a local, private veterinarian. The veterinarian returned to the farm the following day, euthanized the animal and collected a sample, which was submitted for BSE testing. The animal was buried on the farm at that time and did not enter the animal or human food chain, in accordance with APHIS protocols.

Alabama officials and APHIS excavated the index animal's carcass and through dentition, an examination of its teeth, determined the animal to be more than 10 years old. It was born prior to the implementation of FDA's 1997 feed ban that minimizes the risk that a cow might consume feed contaminated with the agent thought to cause BSE.

Alabama state officials and APHIS investigated 36 farms and 5 auction houses and conducted DNA testing on herds that may have included relatives of the index animal. State investigators and APHIS were unable to find any related animals except for the two most recent calves of the index animal. The most recent calf was located at the same farm as the index animal and the second calf died the year before. No other animals of interest were located. The living calf of the BSE-positive animal is currently being held at APHIS' National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, for observation.

The state and federal joint investigation did not reveal the BSE-positive animal's herd of origin. However, this was not entirely unexpected due to the age of the animal, along with its lack of identifying brands, tattoos and tags. Experience worldwide has shown that it is highly unusual to find BSE in more than one animal in a herd or in an affected animal's offspring.

To ensure that adequate feed controls were in place in the feed facilities in the immediate geographic area of the index farm, FDA conducted a feed investigation into local feed mills that may have supplied feed to the index animal after the 1997 feed ban. This investigation found that all local feed mills that handle prohibited materials have been and continue to be in compliance with the FDA's feed ban.

As part of APHIS' BSE enhanced surveillance program, more than 700,000 samples have been tested since June 2004. To date, only two of these highest risk animals has tested positive for the disease as part of the surveillance program, for a total of three cases of BSE in the United States. While APHIS' epidemiological investigation did not locate additional animals of interest, it is important to remember that human and animal health in the United States is protected by a system of interlocking safeguards, which ensure the safety of U.S. beef. The most important of these safeguards is the ban on specified risk materials from the food supply and the FDA's 1997 feed ban.

NOTE: For more information on USDA's epidemiological investigation and a copy of the report, please visit the APHIS website at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/hot_issues/bse.shtml.

Federal Contacts:
Jim Rogers, USDA 202-690-4755
Rae Jones, FDA 301-827-6242




http://www.agi.state.al.us/press_releas ... e-cow?pn=2




Jim Rogers, USDA 202-690-4755
Rae Jones, FDA 301-827- 6242
Christy Rhodes, Alabama 334-240-7103

Statement by USDA Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford Regarding the Conclusion of the Epidemiological Investigation Into a Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)-Positive Cow Found in Alabama
May 2, 2006

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have completed their investigations regarding a cow that tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Alabama in March. Both agencies conducted their investigations in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.

"Our results indicate that the positive animal, called the index animal, was a red crossbreed. This animal was non-ambulatory on the farm, known as the index farm, and examined by a local, private veterinarian. The veterinarian returned to the farm the following day, euthanized the animal and collected a sample, which was submitted for BSE testing. The animal was buried on the farm at that time and did not enter the animal or human food chain, in accordance with APHIS protocols.

"APHIS and Alabama officials excavated the index animal's carcass and through dentition, an examination of its teeth, determined the animal to be more than 10 years old. It was born prior to the implementation of FDA's 1997 feed ban that minimizes the risk that a cow might consume feed contaminated with the agent thought to cause BSE.

"APHIS and Alabama State officials investigated 36 farms and 5 auction houses and conducted DNA testing on herds that may have included relatives of the index animal. APHIS and State investigators were unable to find any related animals except for the two most recent calves of the index animal. The most recent calf was located at the same farm as the index animal and the second calf died the year before. No other animals of interest were located. The living calf of the BSE-positive animal is currently being held at APHIS' National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, for observation.

"APHIS' investigation did not reveal the BSE-positive animal's herd of origin. However, this was not entirely unexpected due to the age of the animal, along with its lack of identifying brands, tattoos and tags. Experience worldwide has shown that it is highly unusual to find BSE in more than one animal in a herd or in an affected animal's offspring.

"To ensure that adequate feed controls were in place in the feed facilities in the immediate geographic area of the index farm, FDA conducted a feed investigation into local feed mills that may have supplied feed to the index animal after the 1997 feed ban. This investigation found that all local feed mills that handle prohibited materials have been and continue to be in compliance with the FDA's feed ban.

"As part of APHIS' BSE enhanced surveillance program, more than 700,000 samples have been tested since June 2004. To date, only two of these highest risk animals has tested positive for the disease as part of the surveillance program, for a total of three cases of BSE in the United States. While APHIS' epidemiological investigation did not locate additional animals of interest, it is important to remember that human and animal health in the United States is protected by a system of interlocking safeguards, which ensure the safety of U.S. beef. The most important of these safeguards is the ban on specified risk materials from the food supply and the FDA's 1997 feed ban. "

#


http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/cont ... lepi.shtml




Alabama BSE Investigation

Final Epidemiology Report

May 2, 2006


snip...


Summary:

Despite a thorough investigation of two farms that were known to contain the index cow,

and 35 other farms that might have supplied the index cow to the farms where the index

case was known to have resided, the investigators were unable to locate the herd of

origin. The index case did not have unique or permanent identification, plus, the size and

color of the cow being traced is very common in the Southern United States. Due to the

unremarkable appearance of solid red cows, it is not easy for owners to remember

individual animals. In the Southern United States, it is common business practice to buy

breeding age cows and keep them for several years while they produce calves. Most

calves produced are sold the year they are born, whereas breeding cows are sold when

there is a lapse in breeding, which can occur multiple times in cows' lives. For all of

these reasons, USDA was unable to locate the herd of origin.


snip...


http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/hot_ ... _Final.pdf






Meanwhile, back at the ranch with larry, curly, and mo at USDA ET AL ON BSE ALABAMA STYLE


http://www.prwatch.org/node/4624


http://disc2.server.com/discussion.cgi? ... JD%20WATCH



TSS

 

[flounder]

Subject: [Docket No. APHIS-2006-0047] Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Availability of an Estimate of Prevalence in the United States
Date: May 3, 2006 at 7:10 am PST


[Federal Register: May 3, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 85)]
[Notices]
[Page 26019-26020]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03my06-36]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0047]


Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Availability of an Estimate of
Prevalence in the United States

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that an analysis of the prevalence
of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States has been
prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. We are
making the analysis of BSE prevalence in this country available to the
public.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the analysis are available for review on the
Internet (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below) and in our reading room.
The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building,
14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Normal
reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call
(202) 690-2817 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Brian McCluskey, National
Surveillance Coordinator, National Surveillance Unit, Center for Animal
Health Surveillance, VS, APHIS, USDA, 2150 Centre Avenue, Fort Collins,
CO 80526-8177; 970-494-7589.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a
progressive and fatal neurological disorder of cattle that results from
an unconventional transmissible agent. BSE belongs to the family of
diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).
Since 1990, the United States has conducted surveillance for BSE in
this country with increasing intensity, including an enhanced
surveillance effort implemented following the diagnosis of BSE in a cow
of Canadian origin in Washington State in December 2003.

[[Page 26020]]

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has
conducted an analysis of the BSE surveillance data collected in the
United States. Based on this analysis, APHIS has arrived at an estimate
of BSE prevalence in this country. This information will help to guide
and support any future requests for consideration of the overall BSE
status of the United States.
We are making our analysis of BSE prevalence in the United States
available to the public. This report is considered a draft and will
undergo peer review.
The analysis may be viewed on the APHIS Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/hot_ ... _usa.shtml.
Click

on the document titled ``An Estimate of the Prevalence of BSE in the
United States.'' The analysis may be also viewed on the Regulations.gov
Web site. Go to http://www.regulations.gov, click on the ``Advanced

Search'' tab and select ``Docket Search.'' In the Docket ID field,
enter APHIS-2006-0047, click on ``Submit,'' then click on the Docket ID
link in the search results page. The analysis will appear in the
resulting list of documents.
You may request paper copies of the analysis by calling or writing
to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please
refer to the title of the analysis (``An Estimate of the Prevalence of
BSE in the United States'') when requesting copies. The analysis is
also available for review in our reading room (information on the
location and hours of the reading room is provided under the heading
ADDRESSES at the beginning of this notice).

Done in Washington, DC, this 1st day of May 2006.
Elizabeth E. Gaston,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E6-6728 Filed 5-2-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422 ... 6-6728.htm



http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422 ... 6-6728.pdf



CDC DR. PAUL BROWN TSE EXPERT COMMENTS 2006The U.S. Department of Agriculture was quick to assure the public earlier this week that the third case of mad cow disease did not pose a risk to them, but what federal officials have not acknowledged is that this latest case indicates the deadly disease has been circulating in U.S. herds for at least a decade. The second case, which was detected last year in a Texas cow and which USDA officials were reluctant to verify, was approximately 12 years old. These two cases (the latest was detected in an Alabama cow) present a picture of the disease having been here for 10 years or so, since it is thought that cows usually contract the disease from contaminated feed they consume as calves. The concern is that humans can contract a fatal, incurable, brain-wasting illness from consuming beef products contaminated with the mad cow pathogen. "The fact the Texas cow showed up fairly clearly implied the existence of other undetected cases," Dr. Paul Brown, former medical director of the National Institutes of Health's Laboratory for Central Nervous System Studies and an expert on mad cow-like diseases, told United Press International. "The question was, 'How many?' and we still can't answer that." Brown, who is preparing a scientific paper based on the latest two mad cow cases to estimate the maximum number of infected cows that occurred in the United States, said he has "absolutely no confidence in USDA tests before one year ago" because of the agency's reluctance to retest the Texas cow that initially tested positive. USDA officials finally retested the cow and confirmed it was infected seven months later, but only at the insistence of the agency's inspector general. "Everything they did on the Texas cow makes everything USDA did before 2005 suspect," Brown said. ...snip...end

http://www.upi.com/ConsumerHealthDaily/ ... 5557-1284r



CDC - Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Variant Creutzfeldt ... Dr. Paul Brown is Senior Research Scientist in the Laboratory of Central Nervous System ... Address for correspondence: Paul Brown, Building 36, Room 4A-05, ...

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol7no1/brown.htm



CDC - Afterthoughts about Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and ... Afterthoughts about Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Paul Brown Senior Investigator, National Institutes of Health, ...

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol7no3_supp/brown.htm



PLEASE SEE FLAMING EVIDENCE THAT THE USDA ET AL COVERED UP MAD COW DISEASE IN TEXAS ;
PAGE 43; Section 2. Testing Protocols and Quality Assurance Controls snip...
FULL TEXT 130 PAGES

http://www.usda.gov/oig/webdocs/50601-10-KC.pdf



[GAO-05-101 ] Mad Cow Disease: FDA's Management of the Feed Ban Has Improved, but Oversight Weaknesses Continue to Limit Program Effectiveness Size: 104986 , Score: 1000 , TEXT , PDF , SUMMARY

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin ... s/data/gao



[2] [GAO-05-101 ] Mad Cow Disease: FDA's Management of the Feed Ban Has Improved, but Oversight Weaknesses Continue to Limit Program Effectiveness Size: 104986 , Score: 1000 , TEXT , PDF , SUMMARY
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin ... s/data/gao
[Docket No. 03-025IFA] FSIS Prohibition of the Use of Specified Risk Materials for Human Food and Requirement for the Disposition of Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle 03-025IFA 03-025IFA-2 Terry S. Singeltary

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/Comments ... 5IFA-2.pdf



Subject: Substances Prohibited from Use in Animal Food or Feed, Proposed Rule, Docket No. 2002N-0273 C-534 VOL 45 (PhRMA) and Entered On February 17, 2006 Date: March 10, 2006 at 5:23 pm PST Marie A. Vodicka, PhD Assistant Vice President Biologics & Blotechnology Scientlflc & Regulatory Affairs SCIENCE & REG AFFAIRS Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305) Food and Drug Administration 5630 Fishers Lane, rrn . 1061 Rackville, MD 20862 Re: Substances Prohibited from Use in Animal Food or Feed, Proposed Rule, Docket No. 2002N-0273 February 14, 2006 Dear Sir or Madam : The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is providing comment to the proposed rules issued. ......
snip...

http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/docket ... -vol45.pdf



Subject: Docket No: 2002N-0273 (formerly Docket No. 02N-0273) Substances Prohibited From Use in Animal Food and Feed PAUL BROWNDate: January 20, 2006 at 9:31 am PST December 20,2005 Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305) Food and Drug Administration 5630 Fishers Lane Room 1061 Rockville, MD 20852 Re: Docket No: 2002N-0273 (formerly Docket No. 02N-0273) Substances Prohibited From Use in Animal Food and Feed Dear Sir or Madame: As scientists and Irecognized experts who have worked in the field of TSEs for decades, we are deeply concerned by the recent discoveries of indigenous BSE infected cattle in North America and appreciate the opportunity to submit comments to this very......... snip... Given that BSE can be transmitted to cattle via an oral route with just .OO1 gram of infected tissue, it may not take much infectivity to contaminate feed and keep the disease recycling. ........

http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/docket ... -vol40.pdf



December 19, 2005 Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305) Food and Drug Administration 5630 Fishers Lane Room 1061 Rockville, MD 20852 Re: Docket No: 2002N-0273 (formerly Docket No. 02N-0273) Substances Prohibited From Use in Animal Food and Feed Dear Sir or Madame: The McDonald's Corporation buys more beef than any other restaurant in the United States. It is essential for our customers and our company that the beef has the highest level of safety. Concerning BSE, ........... snip.......

http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/docket ... 134-02.pdf



THE SEVEN SCIENTIST REPORT ***


http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/docket ... tach-1.pdf



http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/Comments ... 5IFA-2.pdf



Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2005 8:07 AM
Subject: BSE OIE CHAPTER 2.3.13 (The Weakening of a already terribly flawwed BSE/TSE surveillance system)

http://p079.ezboard.com/fwolftracksprod ... =470.topic



Audit Report Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy (BSE) Surveillance Program – Phase II and Food Safety andInspection Service Controls Over BSE Sampling, Specified Risk Materials, andAdvanced Meat Recovery Products - Phase III

http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/sho ... p?t=120372



Subject: Re: Summary of Enhanced BSE Surveillance in the United States & BSE Prevalence Estimate for U.S. April 27, 2006Date: April 28, 2006 at 10:20 am PSTRelease No. 0143.06Contact:Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623Jim Rogers (202) 690-4755

http://disc.server.com/discussion.cgi?d ... JD%20WATCH






TSS

 

[memanpa]

flounder
do REALLY think tha anyone besides YOU and i question that.
read your entire posts?
personally i do not have the time to sort thru all the crap you reduntantly post, there fore making it worthless and your effort to educate goes down the drain!!!
kind of like the long winded sermon in church that puts the people to sleep or at least so sleepy they do not have a clue as to what was said nor do they care any longer!
IMHO less said can be a lot more informitive that a lot of cut and paste REDUNDTANT garbage

 

[flounder]

o.k. mema, here is a short one for you :shock:


Wed, May. 03, 2006
`Sound science' isn't just a catch phrase - it's a real persuader
By Iris Kuo
Knight Ridder Newspapers
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration, senators, industrialists and farmers repeatedly invoke the term "sound science" to delay or deep-six policies they oppose and dismiss criticism of those they favor.

The administration has waved it at such diverse issues as global warming, beef imports, air pollution and arsenic in drinking water. Last Thursday, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta used the phrase to slow a congressional bid to raise the U.S. passenger vehicle mileage standard. "An administrative process based on sound science" should precede any change, Mineta said.

No one, however, is sure what "sound science" means.

The phrase has more to do with anti-regulatory lobbying than with laboratory results, said Donald Kennedy, the former head of the Food and Drug Administration and now the editor in chief of the influential magazine Science.

"Sound science is whatever somebody likes," Kennedy said. "It's essentially a politically useful term, but it doesn't have any normative meaning whatsoever. My science is sound science, and the science of my enemies is junk science." .......snip.........end



http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/nation/14492214.htm


http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/ne ... 492214.htm


http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/14492214.htm


:help:


TSS

 

[Bama]

Flounder just wandering, what do you do for a living?

 

[memanpa]

WORK? he has no time for work he is too busy cutting and pasteing, snipping and sniping, posting reduntant posts, trying to make himself important. WORK not it, i bet he doesn't even read most of the junk he posts,