Possible Mad Cow Case In USA

[nerves]

would also like to add that Veneman resigned a few days ago to me it looks like somebody knows something. What about Japan they are just starting to talk trade maybe we can get a leg up on this situation after all.

[Cedar]

Speaking of Japan...did you guys see the movie "The Last Samurai"? In the special features (or whatever they call that), there was mention of the Japanese, who live a life chock-full of traditions, etc., being major camera-freaks, going back right to the original invention of the camera, several generations. (Ok, I know I'm sounding off-topic here, just hang in there!) As well, there was an article in the (I think) Western Producer sometime last summer, I believe, regarding their view of Canada as being "clean and pristine", something to do with Saskatoon berry sales, if memory serves. Now, let's team up these facts with the effect they (the consuming public in Japan) had on their government when they had their BSE outbreak (as I understand it, they pretty much "ruled", and that resulted in the extensive BSE testing). So..if we could show them our industry in pictures and win them over....?!?!?!?!

OK, this may be a relatively insignificant thought...or...maybe not...would it be of any use in aiding beef sales to Japan if a bunch of us got together and posted pictures of our industry here (clean and pristine, pasture shots, etc.), along with other bse related info, on a website, all the Canadian cattle industry and bse info and links to this info (safety measures, our trace back system versus the U.S. system, etc.), all in one big site on the 'net, with a special emphasis on the pictures? I mean, the "up front" pages would be heavily laiden with cattle pictures, and "fancied up" real nice, and lots of links to industry info...hmmm...perhaps even some links to some of these sites that explain the "real situation" in the U.S.? Oooops...we're an integrated market ..... we wouldn't want to do anything that dumb now...would we???!!!??? Hmmm...or..would we?

Hmmm...ran into a sound clip on the cbc website...a reporter talking to an ncba rep who basically states that their cattle farmers are a bunch of dorks who wouldn't be able to handle any sort of a traceback system and they would probably just wind up with a big mess...ok...so that's their problem! It also sounds like we might be having to do more paperwork in the future, but he makes it sound like we can handle it no problem!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/madcow/
then click on
" On The World at Six, David Horth reports on how cattle are tracked in Canada, Europe and the United States. (June 4, 2003 Runs 4:34) "

OK, I'm done.....I think! (Glad to get that thought off my chest...it's been rattlin' around in my brain so long it's causing all sorts of problems up there....;-)! )

[farmers_son]

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/041118/w111878.html

Canadian Agriculture Minister Andy Mitchell called U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Venemen on Thursday afternoon and was told by her there is no suggestion of link with Canada.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Agriculture Department issued a statement that said the final draft rule on Canadian cattle was nearly finished and would "soon be submitted for clearance."

Stan Eby, president of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, said any new case shouldn't derail progress.

"There is no need for it to affect trade as we see it today or in the future," Eby said.

"I see no reason for it to have an effect on present negotiations."

U.S. experts said it shouldn't matter where the animal was born.

[pandiana]

I thought I heard at least twice that this was once again a Washington cow. Then suddenly, no information on location of cow was heard in subsequent newscasts. Was I hearing things?

[cakadu]

If you heard some of the same things that I did, then yes, they did mention that the cow was in Washington state.

Haven't really heard too much of the news today though.

[farmers_son]

The probabality that this cow actually has BSE is higher than the two previous instances when a U.S. cow tested non-negative last June. Since then the USDA changed its reporting protocols so that now the announcement is not made until the suspect cow has failed two rapid tests. This cow still could be proven negative by the third gold standard test but it is less likely. This cow already has had two strikes, third strike she's out and we are in a new ball game.

I take some small comfort that Veneman has apparently indicated the cow has no links to Canada. Otherwise we should have CFIA people in the U.S. right now monitoring the situation.

[jensend]

i'm not counting on anything right now. i have to wonder if veneman's statement said no indication of canadian link 'at this time' or some other noncommital sort of assurance. if it's a positive there will be some volatility at least for a while.

[grassfarmer]

farmers_son, did we have CFIA people in the US last December or was it all done and dusted before any Canadian had any input?

[farmers_son]

If I recall the timeline for the Holstein in Washington last December, the cow tested positive early in December but there was no announcement of a conclusive result until just before Christmas. After two or three days of limit down moves on the CME there is an announcement that the cow had a Canadian tag in her ear. My understanding was that the CFIA became involved only after that time. Given that past experience I would hope that this time either Canada was ruled out immediately or the CFIA is down in the U.S. checking out that cows ear to make sure she doesn’t get a Canadian passport post-mortem.

Shirley McClellan said so far there is no evidence to suggest the suspected case originated in a cow from Canada.
"There has been no suggestion of Canadian involvement. None," she said. According to the USDA, steps have been taken to trace where the animal came from and to identify other animals that may have been in the same herd. Obviously if this latest cow had a Canadian tag in her ear that is very important information. Given the demonstrated inability of the U.S. industry to trace the origin of any of their livestock, the U.S. was "very fortunate" to have been able to pin that last cow on Canada.

Perhaps it is a non-issue "At this point in time our gut reaction is it is 50/50 for a positive (result)," said Jim Robb, agriculture economist at the Livestock Marketing Information Center. But luck will not be on the beef industry’s side every time. Eventually the U.S., maybe Canada is going to find another conclusive positive BSE cow. Without wishing ill on anyone, next time it is the Americans turn. Given the laws of probability it should be the Americans turn about the next 7 to 10 times.

[cowman]

Why is this a surprize? We knew it was probably going to happen?
Hopefully we will all act in a rational manner and not go crazy, like the last couple of cases? Sooner or later we have to start treating this thing like a fact of life and deal with it?
About the last thing we need right now is some half baked moron babbling away about how it is a "Canadian problem" or for that matter that it is an "American problem"?
The fact is we(North America) have a problem? And we need to deal with it?
If the test works then fine lets do the bloody test! $20 does not seem like a big price to pay to get things back to normal? And if Cargill/IBP are too cheap to do the test, or the federal government is too cheap to do the test....then fine I'll pay for the bloody test! This crap has gone on for too lomg! This whole thing is insane?