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Food & Water Watch

High Risk Canadian Cattle in U.S. Food Supply

June 15, 2007

News Item: Food & Water Watch sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns complete with affidavits of USDA employees describing significant problems with the United States mad cow (or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE) policies and practices that endanger U.S. consumers.

Illegal, Too-old Canadian Cattle Regularly Imported and Slaughtered for Food

Washington, DC –This week, Food & Water Watch sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns complete with affidavits of USDA employees describing significant problems with the United States mad cow (or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE) policies and practices that endanger U.S. consumers.

The inspector affidavits describe incidents and policies in several states when older Canadian cattle at high risk of transmitting mad cow disease were illegally imported and subsequently slaughtered for food even after their risk status was made known. The incidents reflect widespread problems with USDA’s mad cow policies.

Read the complete letter and affidavits.

Since May 2003, when tests revealed the first case of mad cow disease in Canada, USDA regulations have prohibited the importation of various classes of cattle and beef products from Canada. In July 2005, the United States’ border was reopened to importation of live cattle under the age of 30 months, but Canadian cattle that are pregnant and those over the age of 30 months (referred to as “OTM” animals) are still prohibited.

For more information, contact the food team or communications staff at Food & Water Watch.