U.S. Upgrades Nation's Mad Cow Defenses
Mad Cows to be equipped with missile defense systems such as the Raytheon Patriot II..Oh wait. Nevermind.
Here's the story:
WASHINGTON - The Agriculture Department dramatically upgraded the country's defenses against mad cow disease Tuesday, banning meat from all so-called downer cows and promising to create a nationwide animal tracking system, steps long advocated by critics.
These are "very aggressive actions," Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said Tuesday, one week after the first case of mad cow disease surfaced on U.S. soil in a Washington state Holstein slaughtered on Dec. 9.
The changes will produce more rapid testing of cattle for the presence of mad cow disease, and meat will not be processed until test results are back.
Veneman also said small intestines from cows will no longer be allowed into the U.S. food supply, nor head and spinal tissue from cattle older than 30 months. In addition, the Bush administration is ordering changes in slaughterhouse techniques to prevent meat from being accidentally contaminated with brain or spinal cord tissue that can spread mad cow disease.
Two thing here.
1) If that one animal from the Northwest had made it under the radar, you'd never have herd(har har) of this story.
2) It was international pressure and a promised American beef boycott that brought about these changes.
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