U.S. Ag. Department's Inspt. Gen. says mad cow a risk

[donsu]

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/02/usda_mad_cow.html


U.S. Meat Supply at Risk of Mad Cow Disease

The U.S. Agriculture Department's Inspector General warns beef inspectors aren't strictly following cattle screening rules, increasing the risk of mad cow disease in the nation's meat supply.

The report said it found cases where rules covering the slaughter of cattle were being ignored.

For example, 29 suspect cows were slaughtered at two of a dozen meatpacking plants reviewed in an audit. The report says the animals were incapable of walking, and at least 20 of them fell into the category of "downer" cows, animals whose condition can't be explained by injury. It is these "downer" cows that are considered to be the highest risk for mad cow disease.

Department regulations prohibit the slaughter of "downer" cows for any reason. The report said it's possible more suspect cattle are entering the food supply because USDA's record keeping is in need of improvement.
-snip-
-----------------------


now that the Inspt. Gen has said this he will be disappeared into Siberia

and we will see more and bigger ads on TV from the beef barons

[RubyDuby in GA]

1. A Mad Cow Risk?

Yep, Barbara Bush is in Atlanta today for the funeral of Mrs. King. Babs will no doubt be surrounded by "those people". I'm sure the old cow is mad about it.

I really strongly dislike Barbara Bush. Can you tell?

[MadMaddie]

4. Hmmm...what is Babs thinking at the funeral

This black person is better off dead.....:sarcasm:

I dislike babs greatly!! She spawned the devil in the WH.:puke:

[warrens]

2. He's a she, Phyllis Fong

And she is knee-deep in guts and integrity. USDA has been dreading this report, and managed to delay it by months (it was due Nov. 1). Fong actually went to the testing plant on that bogus test on the Texas cow and ORDERED them to send the samples to an independent lab in England for final testing, after which it was pretty clear that USDA had covered up a mad cow case. In her report, she says flat out that USDA resisted using the definitive Western blot test because it would undercut confidence in its entire testing program. Which is sorta like a bankrobber refusing to give the money back because then everyone would know he was a bankrobber.

The Bushies own USDA and use it to push their own agenda, just like EPA and every other major agency. When we retake the White House, there has to be a violent housecleaning that puts the career scientists back in charge and eliminates every single political appointee.

[MadHound]

3. Wow, a Bush appointee actually telling the truth

Stunning, absolutely stunning! And quite refreshing to see, even if it is a couple of years behind the times.

Seriously though folks, we're on our own here concerning mad cow. If you can't or don't want to go the veggie route, at least start purchasing your meat from local, organic growers. This will go a long way to insure that your personal food supply remains mad cow free.

[Katherine Brengle]

5. um, don't eat it.

Wasn't mad cow disease caused by feeding beef to the cows?

I thought I heard that somewhere... If so, that's really disgusting and inhumane.

Would you feed your cat another cat?

[Javaman]

6. Read, "Fast Food Nation"....

Yes, they were and probably still are feeding cows the old ground up carcases of diseased and sick cattle. As well as pig and chicken.

Also in their feed but not limited to, heavy metals, insecticides and their own dung. I won't even go into the water that the cows drink.

Organic is the way to go. I switched to it years ago, it's more expensive, but then again, I don't eat meat that often.

I switched in fear for my own health, no other reason.

[Katherine Brengle]

8. Javaman--yeah, I read that, The Jungle, Supersize Me--now I am

vegan and I buy organic and local products whenever possible.

The world is dangerous enough without putting that stuff into my body.

[deminks]

7. That's one of the biggest 'duh' moments I have ever seen.

It took the Japanese catching us in an effing lie about it to make you effing say that, did it not? Then, we are importing beef from Canada faster than you can say prion and after they keep finding postive cows. To hell with the rules, is that it? We can't impoverish the beef producers at all stages just for a little disease, now can we? Hell no. Wouldn't be prudent, would it? If Smirky had just had followed the rules, we would be better off than now caught it a lie and no one will buy from us. But, he can't do that.

Another gift for our grandchildren. :rant:

[SmokingJacket]

9. That plus the e-coli ... eating beef's not worth it. nt