Press Releases

Joint Statement From Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, Ranking Member Charlie Stenholm, Livestock and Horticulture Subcommittee Chairman Robin Hayes and Ranking Member Mike Ross Regarding Canada’s Announcement of BSE Investigation

“We have been in contact with the Department of Agriculture and Canadian officials regarding this investigation. They are keeping us apprised of the situation.

USDA is placing Canada under BSE restriction guidelines, and has announced that the U.S. will cease importing any ruminants or ruminant products from Canada at this time. According to Canadian officials, this isolated case of BSE did not enter into the food or mammalian feed supply.

Both countries have developed and have in place safeguards designed to prevent the spread of the disease in the event of an isolated case such as today’s announcement. As a result of these preventive actions the Canadian government has expressed confidence in their ability to contain this disease and trace its origin.

There has never been a recorded case of BSE in the United States and the actions taken by the USDA this afternoon will help to further protect the U.S. cattle herd from any potential spread of this disease across our border.”

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