'Colossal blunder' on radioactive cattle feed (JAPAN)

[AsahinaKimi]

'Colossal blunder' on radioactive cattle feed / Govt officials admit responsibility for foul-up that let tainted beef enter nation's food supply

The Yomiuri Shimbun

Officials of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry have admitted they did not consider the possibility of cattle ingesting straw contaminated by radioactive substances emitted from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.

"This is nothing less than a colossal blunder by our ministry. It was beyond our expectations that straw would become a source of radioactive contamination," a ministry official said.

A total of 143 beef cattle suspected of being contaminated with radioactive cesium after ingesting straw that was stored outdoors have been shipped from Fukushima Prefecture and distributed to wholesalers, retailers and consumers in various prefectures.

Livestock farmers and others in the meat industry have attacked the government for its failure to prevent the problem.

more..
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110717002520.htm

[thereismore]

1. Colossaly stupid. nt

[Safetykitten]

6. Well hang on. A fifty foot one could feed many.

[Prometheus Bound]

2. "Beyond our expectations."

Nobody could have imagined, blah blah.

Nobody under five.

[aquart]

3. Every one of them needs to be unemployed.

In the good old days they would kill themselves but I guess they are leaving that choice to their victims.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. It's not funny but if the cattle huddle in the winter they might be warmer than

usual. Just sayin'.

[Art_from_Ark]

5. I'm seeing a lot more American beef in Japanese supermarkets these days

as well as Canadian and Australian beef. Japanese beef seems to be mainly Miyazaki beef, produced in the far southwestern part of the country.

[peace4ever]

7. they are smart consumers

and my heart aches for them :cry:

[nolabels]

8. I just hope we don't see a lot of Japanese beef in the US

:scared:

[Bonobo]

9. Too bad US beef sucks.

It's all red like maguro and doesn't have a hint of marbling.

[Art_from_Ark]

10. It's not too bad for dishes like gyudon or curry

but I often see it marked down 20% or more.

Around here, people who want the marbled stuff will probably opt for the Miyazaki or Hokkaido beef.