Beef byproducts?

[cowman]

I see that the Japanese are now banning french fries that were cooked in beef fat. Which is their right as they test all their animals.
Beef byproducts are used in a lot of stuff. As a base for a lot of pharmaceuticals. Insulin for diabetics comes from cow pancreas. Other drugs come from the pituitary gland. Look at all the things based on beef gelatin.
Shouldn't these also be banned?
Of course the "science" says these things are safe but doesn't the "science" also say french fries are safe? And in reality is there any real proof the "science" is right? Do they know everything about this disease? If so how come we have all these rules that aren't supported by the "science"?
Why don't we just chuck the science, do the test, and problem solved??? Is this to difficult for our leaders to understand?

[rusty1]

What a bunch of hypocrites - I know of at least 1 order for 100,000 lb. of beef tallow back in July from Canada.

[rsomer]

I have copied an excerpt from pandiana'a post regarding OIE rules. Tallow is exempted from BSE trade restrictions.

Article 3.2.13.3.

Veterinary Administrations can authorise without restriction the import or transit through their territory, directly or indirectly, of milk, milk products, tallow, hides and skins originating from healthy animals from countries where BSE has been reported. There is also no scientific evidence of a risk associated with the trade in semen from healthy animals. By-products, such as gelatin and collagen, are considered to be safe if produced by processes (under study) which inactivate any residual BSE infectivity

[cowman]

This may be the rule, but still the french fries aren't going anywhere? Its just like the North American beef going into Europe. The WTO, or whoever, ruled that based on the science Europe had to let in hormone beef. Did they? No.
How about our GMO crops? No.
So we have a big rule book and what is it good for? Or consider this: Suppose the European nations let in hormone beef but they require it to be labelled as such. The European consumer refuses to buy it! What has anybody gained?
This all goes back to a basic fact...the consumer is always right(even when scientifically he is wrong)! And when the day comes that the consumer wakes up to the fact(or fiction) that the meat supply isn't safe, then you won't be able to sell anything that isn't tested. And the consumer must know that this is a truly safe product. If not no amount of PR work and BS will get him or her to buy.

[rsomer]

How does the consumer know if it is a really safe product? Many believe the science. Some get their information from Ophra Winfrey. Some get their information from churches. Others magazines at the checkout stand. Whatever source of information is believed it would be assumed to be right for that consumer.
It should be pointed out that we are not dealing with a consumer problem but a political problem based on protectionism and support of domestic industries not a response by government to consumer concerns. The consumers trust our product and are right to do so as the necessary steps are being taken to ensure that all potentially infected materials is removed from every single animal over 30 months of age. Japanese and American are being denied the choice to eat our beef for purely political and proetectionist reasons.

[ALICIA]

Canada band pet food today. There seem is be a big fuss over this. They were told not to worry, Canada still has pet food.

[cowman]

rsomer: Actually the Japanese stated very clearly that what they required of Canada was to test every animal. So it is Canada playing politics.
Canada banned pet food from the USA? Does this mean our dogs and cats can get BSE? But how? I thought all SRMs were removed and apparently destroyed? If not does this mean they are feeding that stuff to our chickens and pigs? I hope we don't get Mad Pig disease now!

[rsomer]

Cowman: Did you know the U.S. banned Canadian dog food last May, 2003. See: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/28/health/main542336.shtml
According the CBS News the dog food was being banned because the dog food "may have come from a Canadian cow that tested positive for mad cow disease." CBS went on to say "[this] is a precaution to prevent discarded dog food from getting mixed with feed for cattle, goats or sheep."

If you think Japan doesn’t play politics wait to see their response to the Washington Holstein. Even though it is acknowledged that the U.S. has the same problem Canada has with BSE, I expect Japan will accept imports of American beef in the near future without testing for BSE while demanding further safeguards that the beef is not contaminated with Canadian product. I don’t expect Japan to accept Canadian beef any time soon. Japan knows Canada's BSE testing protocols will remain harmonized with the U.S. and that testing all cows in Canada is not going to happen.

[cowman]

Well I did not know that about dogfood! Now in my local town there is a Ralston Purina dog food factory. I believe they only make dogfood. Do you know if dogs can get MAD COW?
Unfortunately, I suspect you are right about the Japanese but I hope they don't play that game. Or at least I hope the Japanese people don't let their government play that game. If we could just get all the politics and crooked deals out of this whole thing it would be a lot easier.
If the Americans weasel their way out of this one and double deal us then I think we are hooped my friend. Time to move on to something else?