|
|
|
|
|
In a meeting on June 17 with USDA Secretary Mike Johanns, the Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Cattle Feeders Association and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association expressed concerns about the decisions and events that led to the agency's June 13 announcement that the three negative BSE samples identified under USDA's enhanced testing procedures had been re-tested.
Those attending the meeting were TCFA Chairman Charles T. Sellers, TFB President Kenneth Dierschke, TFB State Board Member and Texas Beef Council Chairman Dan Dierschke, and TSCRA Executive Vice President Matt Brockman, along with Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs.
"We are concerned that USDA may have changed the intent of its BSE testing program from surveillance to research," the groups stated in a letter hand-delivered to the Secretary. "We base this belief on the wording in an APHIS fact sheet released Monday. The fact sheet states, `Therefore, this additional testing, regardless of eventual results, has no public or animal health implications. The results could, however, assist USDA in assessing current protocols and understanding the nature of the disease.'"
Initial tests in November 2004 on the cow did not show BSE. However, recent follow-up testing found a "weak positive" result, according to USDA. The current tests are being conducted at laboratories in Ames, Iowa, and Weybridge, England.
"We are equally, if not more, concerned about the ongoing and damaging aftermath of that announcement," the letter said. "The announcement caused economic damage to cattle producers, set off an unnecessary flurry of media attention, and potentially damaged consumer confidence—both domestically and internationally—not just in the safety of the U.S. beef supply, but in USDA."
The farm organization leaders further urged USDA to clarify its procedures and establish appropriate protocol to minimize market disruptions as new test results are known and released.
"USDA must clearly communicate the scientific basis for this protocol and the timeframe it will follow to bring this issue to resolution," the letter continued. "To prevent additional market uncertainty and economic damage to cattlemen, we strongly urge that USDA not release intermediate information that does not provide final resolution to this issue."
The farm leaders stressed that USDA must adhere to its own guidelines.
"It is imperative that USDA follow established and consistent protocol, not just in its testing procedures, but in its efforts to communicate scientific information to consumers, cattlemen and the media," the leaders wrote. "To do otherwise endangers the livelihood of cattlemen and impedes the U.S. beef industry's efforts to restore normalcy to domestic and international markets."
