AFIA Issues Statement on Developments Surrounding Positive BSE Test Results

Arlington, VA (March 15)-�The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is monitoring all developments in connection with the positive result of an animal that had initially tested �inconclusive� for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

The incident originates from samples taken from a non-ambulatory cow in Alabama by a private veterinarian who euthanized the animal.

The samples were forwarded first to one of USDA�s diagnostic laboratories at the University of Georgia.

It is very important to note that the animal did not enter either the food or feed supply.

The animal was identified as a member of the beef breed Santa Gertrudis.

It was buried on the farm.

At this time, there is no news on the origin of the animal.

It had resided on the farm for only one year.

However, USDA has begun a comprehensive investigation surrounding the animal.

This will include locating other animals born in the same herd within one year; determining offspring; and working with the Food and Drug Administration on its feed history.

In a statement released yesterday following a media briefing, participated in by AFIA, USDA Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford, DVM, noted that it is highly irregular to discover the animal disease in more than one animal in a herd or in the animal�s offspring.

Nonetheless, his agency plans to test all relevant animals.

USDA employs a very vigorous system of testing when an inconclusive test is noted in suspect animals.

This involves sending samples of screening tests to its National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, IA for more rapid tests, as well as two confirmatory tests.

The latter are the immunohistochemistry (IHC) test and the Western blot test.

The former is conducted by APHIS scientists and the latter by the Department�s Agricultural Research Service.

If either returns positive, the animal is considered to have the disease.

Results from the IHC test are still pending.

Over 640,000 animals from high risk populations have been tested since 2004 in USDA�s intensified surveillance program.

Only two animals have tested positive during that timeframe.

AFIA is confident that the U.S. beef supply is safe due to the implementation of a highly-responsive system of safeguards protecting the nation�s beef supply, One major protective measure centers upon FDA�s BSE rule which prohibits feeding mammalian protein to ruminants (with scientifically-based exemptions).

Industry compliance with the rule is at all-time record levels.

AFIA pledges its continuing vigilance and commitment to the proliferation of BSE in the United States and reaffirms is strong support behind effective implementation and enforcement of sound, scientific based safeguards to prevent the occurrence of BSE in is nation.

AFIA will continue monitoring the latest development, responding to news media calls, and providing timely alerts to its members and general public.

Contact AFIA if you have questions or need assistance.

• AFIA