USDA Confirms Mad Cow Case in Calif; Canada Takes no Action, but Korea may
The nation's fourth case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) (aka Mad Cow disease) has been confirmed in a dairy cow from central California, announced the Department of Agriculture. According to USDA, the carcass of the animal is being held under State authority at a rendering facility in California and will be destroyed. USDA says that the cow was never presented for slaughter for human consumption, so at no time presented a risk to the food supply or human health.
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Canada’s Food Inspection Agency says that the case will not affect trade between the U.S. and Canada. However, press reports indicate that Korea will stop customs clearance of U.S. beef imports, but will not suspend inspections, which would have effectively prevented imports. According to a Bloomberg report, Japan says it will not suspend imports of U.S. beef, while Taiwan will maintain its measures against imports of beef from countries where Mad Cow disease has been reported.
Canada Food Inspection Agency press release (dated 04/24/12) available here.
Reuters report on Korea not suspending inspections (dated 04/25/12) available here.
Bloomberg report on Korea stopping customs clearance, and Japan and Taiwan's reactions (dated 04/24/12) available here.