USDA Proposes BSE Rules

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will publish in the Federal Register a comprehensive rule for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or BSE. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Associate Director of Legislative Affairs Kent Bacus says – NCBA has been pushing for this rule since the first case of BSE was detected in the United Stated in December 2003. This has been a long time coming.

According to Baucus, this proposed rule will show the United States is willing to talk the talk and walk the walk with regard to following international standards developed by the World Organization for Animal Health. He says – it is important for the U.S. government to take all necessary steps to properly address risks related to BSE by adopting this proposed comprehensive rule.

Baucus adds, – it is very difficult for the United States to demand our trading partners follow OIE standards when we are not here at home. The comprehensive BSE rule will change that and will solidify the United States’ commitment to basing our trade relationships on internationally-recognized, science-based standards. Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted within 60 days, once published.