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pharmer said:I agree totally with your premise PPRM that we will not know, at least in the short term, what the extent of BSE infection in North America is unless we test a significant number.
However, USDA APHIS and CFIA have repeatedly stated that testing does not guarantee a product is 'BSE Free' . Product could only state that they are BSE Tested. The crux of the matter is the sensitivity of the test can only detect BSE when prions reach a certain level in target tissues. Cattle must be in a latter stage of BSE in order for the test to pick them up. USDA and CFIA have therefore stated that removal of the tissue which would contain the abnormal prion from all potentially infected animals is the most effective way of protecting the consumer. Check out USDA response to R-Calf http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsheet_faq_notice/r-calfstatement.pdf
The best way to determine the level of infectivity is to do what is done in Canada, which is to pay farmers, feedlots etc. to test any 4D animal (distressed, diseased, down, dead over 30 months). The owner of the cow will be compensated a token amount for calling in the vet to take a sample (who is also paid) and proper disposal of the animals is insured. In this way, cattle with the highest risk of BSE would be tested which will go a long way toward establishing whether there is a significant problem. This has been in effect in Canada since last summer I believe.
pharmer- I'm not against testing everything in both countries until we see the extent of the disease- have at it... Should have been done a year or two ago except for the wishy washy indecision and inconsistency of the USDA leadership---Above all keep the consumer confidence, rather than the mixed "sound science", "best science available" , "whatever comes to mind science" they throw out----- But I do question the good of testing only 4-D's in my part of the country-- I don't think it would do much good-- anything that is looking poorly or is getting old usually is shipped long before they die or go down- the majority of cows that die are never found or when found are just bones and skin- sometimes a year or two after they came up missing....Might work in some parts of the States, but around here it would be futile and unproductive if you relied on just 4 D's........Right now at this time, we have about 900 head of cows in the valley- not one has died since fall roundup-altho one came close to meeting her maker when my cousin threatened to shoot her after she tore down 4 sets of corrals while pouring them a month ago... Most that come close to being 4 D leave long before they cost you money.......