PAGE 8 CATTLE HEALTH REPORT | SPRING/SUMMER 2004
ID/INFO EXPO 2004 Offers Industry Insight into
National Animal Identification System
The National Institute for participate,” said Gary Wilson, an RFID tag will be the responsibility
Animal Agriculture’s ID/INFO EXPO Angus breeder from New Concord, of the owner, according to the
provided a further look at a national Ohio and co-chair of the cattle working group.
animal identification system, as out- industry working group. “The pro- “If an animal loses a tag, there’s
lined by USDA, for the beef and gram must be implemented cooper- no question that the current owner
dairy industries, in addition to other atively involving USDA, is responsible for getting that ani-
key species. Approximately 500 States/Tribes and the U.S. cattle mal retagged,” added Wilson.
stakeholders attended the meeting industry.” The working group is seeking
held in Chicago in mid-May. for all information to be Freedom
Attendees gained a glimpse of of Information Act exempt and
the latest recommendations put forth accessible only to approved authori-
by the cattle industry working group. ties for disease traceback.
The cattle industry has become “Only essential data to enhance
involved recently in the develop- The working group recom- disease surveillance and monitoring
ment of an animal identification mended that Congress give $73 shall be collected and stored in any
system in order to ensure one that million in FY 2005 to help with state or federally managed data-
will work for both beef and dairy implementation of a national sys- base,” said Wilson. “We’re not
producers. The cattle industry work- tem. The President's budget looking for production data.”
ing group has addressed a variety of includes $33 million for the NAIS The group has recommended
issues, from funding to technology in FY 2005. If supported by certain criteria for reporting of cattle
standards. A recent report of the Congress, these funds would sup- movement. Reporting should take
groups work, including recommen- plement the $18.8 million USDA is place when: cattle move interstate; a
dations, was presented at ID/INFO putting toward the NAIS in FY change of ownership in which cattle
EXPO 2004. 2004. are moved to a different premises;
“It’s important that all producers “We cannot afford to have any or when cattle move to a distinctly
state left behind,” said Wilson. different premises where co-min-
Bowling Green, KY 42104
1910 Lyda Avenue
National Institute for Animal Agriculture
Cattle
“And we need validation testing to gling will occur regardless of a
make sure the system works.” change in ownership (including
Technology has been a con- exhibitions, rodeos, livestock mar-
Health Report
tentious issue for cattle producers, kets, trucks or trailers). Required
with a variety of options available. movements should also be reported
The working group is recommend- within 24 hours, or at the end of
ing the use of ISO compliant RFID the following business day, accord-
(radio-frequency identification) ear ing to the working group. Optional
tags, as outlined in the U.S. Animal reporting includes movement of
Identification Plan. cattle between pastures, even if not
“We’re aware of other technolo- through commerce.
gies, but we’ve got to start some- The cattle industry working
where,” said Wilson. “We are open group recommends assessment and
to other technologies as they enter initial implementation projects to
the market and become affordable.” help with finalization of standards
Non-Profit Organization
The working group even has laid for the national system, as well as
Bowling Green, KY
U.S. POSTAGE
Permit No. 82
out specific details, such as an offi- projects to help validate the system
cial tag color of hot pink and offi- in the future.
42104
PAID
cial tag placement in the left ear. Wilson’s presentation, along
Responsibility for applying tags with other species’ presentations,
has brought many questions for the can be found on the Internet at
cattle industry. Application of the www.animalagriculture.org/id.
Cattle
HEALTH REPORT
A National Institute for Animal Agriculture Publication Spring/Summer 2004
BSE Surveillance Taking Shape
Since the USDA’s announce- one positive in 10 million---assum- cated that around 70 percent of the
ment for an Enhanced BSE ing that all of the positives are in the tests were from dead animals.
Surveillance program on March 15, targeted high-risk population---with DeHaven pointed out that since
the cattle industry is keeping a close a 99 percent confidence level. In the audit, which was based back in
eye on how the program is unfold- other words, the enhanced program March, many activities have taken
ing. Controversy could detect BSE even if there were place. He stated, “…a lot of the rec-
on reporting has only five positive animals in the tar- ommendations that are made in the
stemmed from geted population in the entire coun- report are in fact being addressed or
the announce- try. have already been addressed in the
ments of incon- USDA has approved 12 labora- activities that have taken place since
clusive tests twice tories across the country to perform that timeframe.”
this summer. the rapid screening tests. Upon the
However, USDA finding of an inconclusive, tissue BSE and Japan
plans to remain samples are sent to the National Officials finished three rounds
Dr. Ron DeHaven
transparent Veterinary Services Laboratory in of talks with Japan in attempts to
throughout the BSE testing process, Ames, Iowa for confirmation. reopen those markets for U.S. beef.
evident through the recent protocol There, the samples are tested using Japan has been a strong supporter
change for BSE reporting. the world-recognized gold-standard for blanket BSE testing. Although
The enhanced program, which test for BSE, the immunohistochem- no decision has been made, sources
began on June 1, aims to sample istry test. The results typically take indicate that Japan is backing away
some 268,000 head over the next 12 four to seven days. from the blanket testing, which
to 18 months. This goal is based on Though the two inconclusive could help trade talks move forward.
statistical modeling, which shows tests, announced on June 25 and
this level of sampling would allow June 29, did come back negative, Strengthening the Safeguard
for the detection of BSE at a rate of BSE remains a hot topic among the Health and Human Services and
livestock industry. USDA announced three actions
Inside This Issue… being taken to further strengthen
Evaluation existing safeguards that protect con-
PAGE 2: VS IN WESTERN STATES In a draft audit report on BSE sumers against the agent that causes
surveillance from the Office of BSE. They include:
PAGE 3: WLIC SELECTED AS INTER- Inspector General (OIG), no falsifi- • A joint USDA FSIS, APHIS and
IM MODEL FOR PREMISES ID REG- cation was reported from USDA or Food and Drug Administration
ISTRATION FSIS regarding the downer cow. The (FDA) notice that asks for public
OIG did express concerns about the comment on additional preventive
sampling size in all animal cate- actions that are being considered
PAGE 4-5: BSE IN NORTH AMERI- gories related to the program, from concerning BSE;
CA: NIAA HOSTS LANDMARK non-ambulatory animals to dead • An interim final FDA rule that
SYMPOSIUM animals on the farm. Dr. Ron prohibits the use of certain cattle-
DeHaven, Animal and Plant Health derived materials in human food
PAGE 6: NEWS BRIEFS Inspection Service (APHIS) adminis- (including dietary supplements)
trator, noted that the program is get- and cosmetics; and
PAGE 8: ID/INFO EXPO OFFERS ting a good amount of samples, tar- • A proposed FDA rule on record-
INSIGHT FOR NAIS geting the high-risk group. keeping requirements for the inter-
Preliminary results from June indi- im final rule relating to this ban.
PAGE 2 CATTLE HEALTH REPORT | SPRING/SUMMER 2004
VSV in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado
Vesicular stomatitis (VSV) has a wide host range. VSV also NVSL confirmed that two cattle
cases continue to climb in the occasionally affects sheep and were in fact positive. Since then,
Southwest, following the first VSV goats. In affected livestock, VSV 14 more cattle in Colorado have
confirmation on May 18 from the causes blister-like lesions to form been confirmed to have VSV.
National Veterinary Services in the mouth and on the dental All of the infected premises
Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa pad, tongue, lips, nostrils, hooves have been quarantined, remaining
in horses at one premises in the and teats. These blisters swell and under that status until 30 days
State of Texas. Since then, a total break, leaving raw tissue that is so post healing of lesions found on
of 109 premises have reported painful that infected animals gen- the infected animals. Only three
VSV, including 16 cases in cattle, erally refuse to eat and drink and premises has been cleared, with 25
according to USDA, APHIS. show signs of lameness. in the post-healing waiting period.
VSV is a viral disease that pri- The Texas Animal Health A total of 104 premises are cur-
marily affects horses, cattle, and Commission reported the first case rently quarantined in Texas,
swine. The virus that causes VSV of VSV in cattle on June 30, after Colorado and New Mexico.
USDA Awards Johne’s Funding
USDA will contribute $8.8 mil- microbiology at the medical
lion to two international research school and co-director of the uni-
collaboratives, one seeking to con- versity’s biomedical genomics cen-
Cattle trol and eliminate Johne's disease ter, and includes several university
in cattle, sheep and goats. The faculty members from the
Health Report University of Minnesota has Colleges of Veterinary Medicine,
received the two largest grants ever Agriculture, Food and
Spring/Summer 2004 to be awarded for animal disease Environmental Sciences and the
research from USDA, Cooperative Institute for Technology. A total
Publisher State Research, Education and of 72 researchers from 23 other
National Institute for Extension Service. A second grant universities, state and federal gov-
Animal Agriculture will fund porcine reproductive and ernmental agencies, and stake-
Glenn N. Slack, President & CEO respiratory syndrome, or PRRS, holder groups will also participate.
research in swine. The research goals are to under-
Ben Richey, Editor
Johne’s disease (JD) is a bacte- stand how JD is transmitted; to
Linda L. Leake, Contributing Writer
rial infection in cattle and other develop new diagnostic tools to
Cattle Health Report provides the
ruminants (sheep, goats, and track the disease in herds; to study
latest information on issues pertinent deer) that causes chronic gastroin- how JD progresses; and to develop
to cattle health initiatives, strategies, testinal inflammation. Approx- a vaccine or methods of boosting
research and regulatory action. It is a imately 40 percent of all dairy herd immunity.
communications initiative of the NIAA farms in the United States are “We have brought together
Cattle Health Committee and is pro- infected with the bacterium that leading scientists in the field to
duced in cooperation with USDA-
APHIS. Reprinting is encouraged. causes JD, resulting in more than form a comprehensive, multi-
a billion dollars of economic loss institutional, interdisciplinary col-
For a free subscription, send your every year. The impact is especially laboration that is committed to
name and mailing address to NIAA at: severe in larger dairy herds, and is using cutting-edge tools to finding
1910 Lyda Avenue estimated to cost up to $200 per solutions to better diagnose, treat,
Bowling Green, KY 42104-5809 year for each cow in the herd. prevent, and control JD,” said
ph.: 270-782-9798 fax: 270-782-0188
The JD project is led by Vivek Kapur.
e-mail: NIAA@animalagriculture.org
Kapur, BVSc, Ph.D., professor of
Web site: www.animalagriculture.org
CATTLE HEALTH REPORT | SPRING/SUMMER 2004 PAGE 7
and an increase in interest for grass Animal Health Laboratory Network
BSE| Landmark fed beef and organic beef, she and implementation of a national
Symposium Held reports. animal identification system.”
“Several factors influence con-
(continued from page 5)
sumer confidence in the meat sup- By Linda L. Leake
Risk Communication ply,” Bruhn notes, “including consis-
The probability of risk and the tent messages from state govern- FDA’s Commitment
perception of risk are often very dif- ments, universities and the USDA to the BSE Crisis
ferent, but both are real, relates that meat tissue does not contain The Food and Drug Administra-
David Ropeik, director of risk com- infectious agents, science-based mes- tion (FDA) will step up it’s efforts to
munication for the Harvard Center sages from trusted authorities and achieve 100 percent compliance with
for Risk Analysis. readily available access to USDA and its BSE feed rules, according to Dr.
“The risk from fear is often local food safety experts.” Lester Crawford, FDA’s Acting
worse than the actual hazard,” Consumers have two major con- Commissioner in his keynote
Ropeik says. “The risk of humans cerns, Bruhn says, namely, why is address to NIAA’s BSE symposium.
getting variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob dis- meat recalled if BSE is not transmit- FDA and its state counterparts
ease from BSE infected cattle is ted via muscle tissue and why are conduct, at least annually, targeted
extremely low, but any of several the names of markets that receive BSE inspections of all renderers, pro-
risk perception factors can influence meat that is recalled kept confiden- tein blenders, feed mills and process-
how a consumer will respond to tial. “Consumers do approve of all ing plants that could be tainted with
news of a positive BSE case.” the safeguards in place to protect the BSE, Crawford points out.
With BSE, new risk perception meat supply from BSE contamina- “There are 1,949 of these firms,
factors figure in, Ropeik adds. These tion,” Bruhn adds. and their compliance with the feed
include choice and awareness. A risk Global outlook rule has been estimated at better
that someone imposes on you, like “More countries will discover than 99%,” Crawford says.
infectious material in your food, is BSE, but there won’t be any epi- “The agency plans to improve on
worse than a risk you chose to take demics as big as the one in the this record not only by inspecting
yourself, like eating raw fish. United Kingdom,” Hueston predicts. more renderers and feed mills, but
“Relative to effective risk com- “There will be more cases in North
also by extending BSE inspections to
munication, what you do is more America, but not many. More cases
truckers, firms that salvage pet food
important that what you say,” of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
and feed, and to farms that mix
Ropeik says. “The rules imposed by will occur, but there won’t be a cata-
ruminant feed,” Crawford adds.
the USDA in the 1990’s to reduce strophic epidemic. Control of BSE
Other FDA plans, Crawford out-
the risk of BSE established public worldwide will be difficult, and inter-
lines, include increased sampling
trust and confidence and helped national standards will change in
and analysis of marketed feed,
keep fear of mad cow disease low far response to new scientific findings”
including products imported from
more than any press releases or news The next big steps will be to
non-BSE countries, validation of a
conferences they held after the BSE enhance risk assessment tools and
simpler and faster polymerase chain
positive cow was found last review alternative surveillance strate-
reaction-based method for the detec-
December.” gies that can be applied in countries
tion of bovine proteins in animal
Consumer Response with very different cattle production
feed and evaluation of diagnostic
Polls conducted by Gallup, practices, Hueston points out.
kits for mammalian protein in feed.
Harvard University and the National “The bottom line is that BSE
These goals are attainable,
Cattlemen’s Beef Association show will be a North American issue for
Crawford says. “FDA’s current budget
that more than 50 percent of con- some years to come,” Hueston says.
is over $21 million, more than five
sumers believe BSE in the United “Re-establishment of trade will
times what it was only three years
States is a minor problem, according depend on trust and credibility built
on surveillance results and compli- ago,” he reports, “and the agency is
to Dr. Christine Bruhn, director of
ance data. On a positive note, BSE requesting an additional $8.3 mil-
the Center for Consumer Research at
creates the opportunity to strength- lion for BSE activities in fiscal year
the University of California-Davis.
en animal health infrastructure for 2005.”
Other reports since the U.S. diag-
the benefit of our entire nation Dr. Crawford’s full presentation
nosis show no change in demand for
through expansion of the National is on the Internet at www.fda.gov/oc/
fast food or other restaurant food,
speeches/2004/niaa0406.html.
PAGE 6 CATTLE HEALTH REPORT | SPRING/SUMMER 2004
News Briefs News Briefs News Briefs News Briefs News Briefs
Wisconsin Livestock to NDHIA members, to begin ini- ing the state’s 850+ dairies and at
tial implementation of premises least 2,500 of its beef seed stock
Identification and animal identification, utilizing herds by the end of August 2004.
Consortium to Fund Holstein’s National Farm Animal The plan was submitted to the
Projects Identification and Records USDA, along with a commitment
The Wisconsin Livestock (National FAIR) as the terminal to comply with the program.
Identification Consortium (WLIC) database for their program. “Clearly, cattle TB must be
recently approved six pilot projects “We feel strongly that active addressed in Texas and in other
for Wisconsin producers and indus- producer participation in the for- states where infected herds also
try interested in advancing animal mation and governance of the ani- have been detected. This currently
identification efforts. mal identification system is essen- includes California, New Mexico,
The following projects, which tial,” said Jay Mattison, CEO and Arizona, Kansas and Michigan. In
are independent of the recently- administrator for NDHIA. “It is Texas, we need the support of dairy
announced USDA, APHIS ID proj- also important to have a program and purebred beef producers to
ects, will help Wisconsin learn that promotes market access and find infection, if additional infected
about the processes for animal commerce.” herds are present; prevent further
identification and tracking for cattle. The agreement involves DHIA, spread of disease; and regain our
• The veal pilot project, by the including its 27,000 members, col- ability to move breeding cattle
American Veal Association, is look- lecting premises and animal ID across state lines without a TB test,”
ing to demonstrate traceability of data through the DHIA field serv- Dr. Hillman noted.
veal calves from their dairy herd of ice system for entry into National
origin, through the veal grower and FAIR. The program, in its current Supreme Court to
to the packing plant. state, is separate from USDA’s
• The beef pilot project, by the
Hear Checkoff Case
National Animal Identification The U.S. Supreme Court released
Wisconsin Cattleman’s Association, System, however the two could its decision to hear an appeal of an
UW Extension and WI State Fair, mesh in the future. 8th Circuit Appellate Court ruling
will examine the opportunity of
that found the federal Beef
utilizing technology to implement TB Testing Lag Promotion and Research Act in vio-
an electronic health certificate, ani-
mal identification and animal
Could Impact lation of the First Amendment. The
movement to exhibition premises Reinstatement of decision to hear the case will allow
for beef cattle. Texas‚ TB-Free Status the beef checkoff program to contin-
Dairy and purebred beef cattle ue business as usual throughout the
• The dairy pilot project, by ABS
owners must complete the task that proceedings. The checkoff has
Global, Inc. and an unnamed pro-
we agreed to accomplish by step- helped grow consumer demand for
ducer group, will demonstrate the
ping forward to have herds tested beef more than 16 percent since
management benefits of imple-
for cattle tuberculosis (TB), if Texas 1998 and has increased the prices
menting radio frequency identifica-
is to regain Class “Free” status for that producers receive for their cattle.
tion technology and linking that id
TB eradication, says Dr. Bob “This decision was expected,”
to daily reproductive and health
Hillman, Texas state veterinarian. said Bob Rolston, Colorado cattle-
management tools. Find out more
As of early May, 349 Texas dairies man and chairman of the Federation
about WLIC at www.wiid.org.
and 115 purebred beef herds have of State Beef Councils Division of
been tested for the bacterial disease the National Cattlemen’s Beef
NDHIA, Holstein USA since November 2003. While the Association.
Announce Premises dairy industry is making significant The final Supreme Court ruling
and Animal ID progress, it still falls far short of is expected in the first half of 2005.
Agreement testing necessary to assure the U.S. Thirty state attorneys general, along
The National Dairy Herd Department of Agriculture (USDA) with Puerto Rico, asked the Supreme
Improvement Association and other states that Texas has con- Court to hear the case and 48 indus-
(NDHIA) and Holstein USA have ducted adequate disease surveil- try organizations signed a brief sup-
announced a partnership, available lance. Texas’ TB plan calls for test- porting the review.
CATTLE HEALTH REPORT | SPRING/SUMMER 2004 PAGE 3
WLIC System Selected as Interim USDA Awards
Model for Premies ID Registration $11.64 Million
The U.S. Department of and will provide it to a limited for NAIS
Agriculture's Animal and Plant number of states in early August. The U.S. Department of
Health Inspection Service has It will be phased-in to ensure that Agriculture’s Animal and Plant
selected a premises registration any problems can be addressed Health Inspection Service has
system, as an interim solution, before it is available nationally. granted funding to state and tribal
that will record locations where USDA will provide the interim governments to support the initial
animals reside or will reside. This standardized premises registration implementation of the national
is an important first step in the system that states or tribes can animal identification system
implementation of a national ani- elect to use. States and tribes also (NAIS). A total of $11.64 million
mal identification system (NAIS). can use other premises registration has been divided among 29 coop-
The Wisconsin Livestock systems, as long as these systems erative agreements for states and
Identification Consortium devel- meet national data standards. By tribes. The money, allocated from
oped the system. early August, USDA will have eval- the more than $18 million set
“Before animals can be tracked uated other premises registration aside from USDA’s Commodity
during a disease outbreak, we systems to ensure compliance with Credit Corporation, is for imple-
need to know where the animals the national data standards. menting an identification system
are located,” said APHIS USDA is committed to design- for all livestock and poultry ani-
Administrator Dr. Ron DeHaven. ing a comprehensive animal iden- mals on farms and ranches.
“Registering animal premises is a tification system that will trace all Dr. Ron DeHaven, APHIS
key component of a national ani- animals and premises potentially administrator, says this funding
mal identification system and will exposed to a foreign animal dis- will help the goverment move
help trace animal movements dur- ease within 48 hours. This will towards the goal of implementing
ing any future outbreaks.” ensure that the disease is quickly the NAIS.
The interim system was select- contained and eradicated. As USDA aims to get the compo-
ed based on the results of an inde- announced in June, USDA will nents of the national premises
pendent review conducted by SI enter into cooperative agreements system in place first. With the
International of Reston, Va. with states and tribes to imple- agreements awarded, cooperating
Currently, USDA is enhancing the ment a NAIS during the coming states and tribes now will begin to
system for use in multiple states months. use the funds to register premises.
USDA Hosting Listening Sessions on Animal Identification
The U.S. Department of control outbreaks of a variety of initiative, to which USDA will com-
Agriculture is hosting a series of lis- animal diseases and reduce the eco- mit part of the $18 million this
tening sessions across the country nomic impacts on the market.” year, as well as the $33 million
to discuss the development, struc- USDA’s Animal and Plant identified for 2005.
ture and implementation of a Health Inspection Service received Remaining listening sessions
national animal identification pro- more than $18 million for 2004 to are scheduled for: Ames, Iowa on
gram for all livestock and poultry begin implementing a national sys- Aug. 26; Joplin, Mo. on Aug. 27;
animals. tem that will quickly and efficiently Appleton, Wis. on Aug. 30; and St.
“These sessions will provide traceback diseased or potentially Cloud, Minn. on Aug. 31. More
public forums to discuss the diseased animals. USDA has made details about each listening session,
national animal identification pro- steps towards premise identification including the site and time of the
gram,” said Under Secretary Bill (see above) to allow for pilot pro- meeting and transcripts are posted
Hawks. “A national animal identifi- grams to test identification systems. on the APHIS Web site at
cation program will help the gov- The listening sessions are a first www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/nais/
ernment and industry more quickly step of an education and outreach nais.html.
PAGE 4 CATTLE HEALTH REPORT | SPRING/SUMMER 2004
BSE in North America: NIAA Hosts Landmark Symposium
On Dec. 23, when Santa Claus U.S. that segment includes about “We’ll never know for sure exact-
was undoubtedly busy at the North 446,000 animals per year,” DeHaven ly when the Washington cow
Pole getting ready for his big trip on says. “We plan to test as many of became infected,” Luterbach points
Christmas Eve, Agriculture Secretary these animals as possible over a out, “but, like our positive beef cow,
Ann Veneman was busy announcing twelve to eighteen-month period.” she most likely consumed contami-
a “presumptive positive” case for “We’re making efforts to change nated feed.”
BSE, courtesy of a Holstein dairy cow international overreaction, particu- Concurrent to the cattle investi-
that arrived at a slaughter plant in larly in the European Union and gation in May 2003, Luterbach and
Moses Lake, Wash. on Dec. 9, 2003. Japan, to our BSE case that has his staff conducted an investigation
This seemingly ordinary bovine was affected trade,” DeHaven adds. “If of the feed manufactured that may
destined to become famous as “the we don’t do this, the consequences have contained the remains of the
cow that stole Christmas.” of their trade policies will not be positive cow.
Dr. Ron DeHaven, now the based on science.” Compliance was very good,
administrator of USDA Animal and Canadian perspective Luterbach reports, but there were a
Plant Heatlh Inspection Service, and Investigatory action was swift few cattle and sheep that were inci-
the APHIS Veterinary Services’ field following the positive diagnosis of dentally or accidentally exposed to
staff immediately embraced a proac- BSE in a beef cow
tive approach to dealing with the sit- in western Key Points from Industry Lead
uation even before the World Canada on May “As we move forward from here, we need to
Reference Laboratory in the United 20, 2003, accord- take what we’ve learned about BSE and dis-
Kingdom confirmed USDA’s diagno- ing to Dr. George ease surveillance in general and put it to work
sis of BSE on Dec. 25. Luterbach, the in industry and government, so that when we
These developments quickly Canadian Food have to deal with BSE or any other disease in
inspired a landmark symposium Inspection the future, we’ll be better equipped to handle
it.” Allen Bright, Producer Member, National
entitled “BSE in North America: A Dr. George Luterbach Agency’s chief Cattlemen’s Beef Association
New Era,” which was held on April veterinarian of
6 during the 2004 National Institute animal health and production for “Terrorists can use animals to cause disease to
for Animal Agriculture Annual the Western Program Network. humans without hurting the animal. The
Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. The “Eight herds of beef cattle in entire food industry has worked hard since
event drew nearly 300 animal health western Canada were destroyed, 9/11 to make food from farm to table a diffi-
cult and undesirable target for terrorist
and industry professionals from the including the index herd and seven attacks, and, in the event of an attack, provide
United States, Canada, New Zealand source herds,” Luterbach reports. a means for a coordinated industry-wide
and Japan. “Trace outs from the eight herds response to limit the effects and enable the
Imagine a “rewind” button located on 35 additional farms were food system to recover as rapidly as possible.
before you to connect with the removed and destroyed. In total, NIAA is a strong and indispensable partner in
world class conference, first hand. 2,700 cattle were destroyed and this ongoing project.” Tim Hammonds,
President and CEO, Food Marketing Institute
“Dealing with a national animal sampled and 2,000 samples from
emergency is not how to spend adult cattle were tested for BSE.” “My job is to protect the over 300 feed ingre-
Christmas,” DeHaven recommends The good news, Luterbach says, dients in the marketplace. Whenever I see
as he opens the symposium. “The is that all samples tested negative. FDA threatening one or more of these ingredi-
USDA has never dealt with an issue Responding to the U.S. BSE positive ents without a sound scientific basis, we take
that has garnered so much media cow, Canadian officials investigated action. Steps taken against a handful of ingre-
dients threaten the future of all other ingredi-
attention as the cow that stole and traced 57 birth cohort cattle in ents when the next crisis occurs.” Richard
Christmas,” he relates. the U.S. and Canada. Three birth Sellers, V.P., Feed Control & Nutrition, American
Ongoing surveillance will cohort cattle in Canada were traced Feed Industry Association, Inc.
include testing at-risk animals, to two farms in Alberta and were
DeHaven reports, which includes destroyed, sampled and tested for “Renderers are very willing to become players
cattle that are exhibiting signs of BSE, as were nine common feed in accelerated surveillance programs and we
recognize the importance of them. However,
central nervous system disorder, source exposed cattle from 1997 on we have logistical challenges to overcome, but
non-ambulatory cattle, and those an associated farm. All 12 tested we think it can be done.” Tom Cook, President,
that die of unknown causes. “In the negative. National Renderers Association
CATTLE HEALTH REPORT | SPRING/SUMMER 2004 PAGE 5
prohibited feed. These animals were Diseases comments that appear to conflict
destroyed as a precaution. (SACFAPD). with the risk assessment by Harvard
“There are not enough inspec- This subcom- University,” Breitmeyer says. “A
tors in the world to be on every mittee was major discrepancy exists with the
farm every day to monitor what cat- charged with sev- Subcommittee’s conclusions that
tle producers are feeding,” eral tasks, most BSE may continue to circulate in the
Luterbach emphasizes. notably assessing U.S. and North America. According
International Review Team the epidemiologi- to the Harvard risk assessment con-
Dr. Will Hueston
“None of us feels BSE is wide- cal investigation ducted from the late 1990’s to 2001,
spread in North America,” says Dr. of the positive U.S. BSE case, and the measures already taken by the
Will Hueston, director of the Center evaluating response actions taken. U.S. government effectively prevent
for Animal Health and Food Safety “The epidemiological investiga- amplification and
at the University of Minnesota. tion of the U.S. BSE case conformed will lead to the
Hueston shared a report on meas- to international standards,” Hueston disappearance of
ures relating to BSE in the United relates. “The existing limited animal BSE over time.
States compiled by the International identification system hindered cattle The Committee
Review Subcommittee of Secretary traceback, but investigation of wants to get this
Veneman’s Advisory Committee on slaughter and processing did show issue resolved
Foreign Animal and Poultry that the positive cow’s specified risk prior to com- Dr. Richard Breitmeyer
materials (SRM) were removed from pleting recommendations to the
ers: BSE Roundtable Discussion the human food supply.” Secretary.”
“I cannot emphasize enough the importance “We recommend disallowing Economic Impact
of utilizing practicing veterinarians in animal stunning and processing practices A one hundred percent loss in
disease surveillance.” Dr. Mark Spire, President, which increase risks of contamina- U.S. beef and cattle exports penciled
American Association of Bovine Practitioners tion,” Hueston reports, “along with out to about a $4.4 billion loss in
banning mechanical deboning of export revenues, according to Ann
“Regarding the various new regulatory actions
to address BSE, such as the ban on non-
skulls and vertebral columns of ani- Seitzinger, an agricultural economist
ambulatory cattle, limits on the use of mals older than 30 months.” with the USDA Centers for
advance meat recovery technology, and the The ultimate goals should be to Epidemiology and Animal Health.
expansion of the list of specified risk materi- reduce public health risk, limit recy- “Gross revenues in the U.S. grain,
als, the long term impact still remains to be cling and amplification of SRM, feed, and livestock sectors are esti-
seen.” Mark Dopp, Senior V.P., Regulatory establish effective BSE controls mated to have dropped by between
Affairs and General Counsel, AMI
through surveillance, prevent future $1.7 billion and $9.2 billion,”
“The ruling that non-ambulatory cattle can no inadvertent introduction and pre- Seitzinger relates.
longer be used for human consumption is vent the spread of the disease world- This is the range of estimates for
difficult for the dairy industry to accept, as wide, the review team concluded. the BSE situation (most notably
there is no provision for the exemption of “Our recommendations are export embargoes and limitations
acutely injured cattle. Also, the potential loss based on science, international stan- on imports) if it lasts for one year,
of the use of bovine blood and serum prod-
dards and global experience,” Seitzinger explains. That is, if the
ucts will have severe consequences on the
manufacture of colostrum replacement prod- Hueston emphasizes. “To achieve current embargoes and limitations
ucts which are critical for some Johne's con- these objectives, it will take a shared on U.S. imports stay in place from
trol management practices, milk replacers and commitment by national and state January 1, 2004 to January 1, 2005,
bypass protein supplements for adult cows.” governments, producers, veterinari- this is the estimated range of
Dr. Karen Jordan, Producer Member, Dairy ans, allied industry and consumers.” impacts on the U.S. livestock, feed
Farmers of America Agriculture Secretary’s Advisory and grain sectors.
“Livestock markets were instrumental in Committee “Government investigation
maintaining a steady cash market for cattle The SACFAPD reviewed the expenses through March 1, 2004 ran
buyers and sellers during the BSE crises. As International Review report and rec- approximately $4 million, while
USDA responds to the BSE emergency, don’t ommended several measures to deal risk reduction measures totaled
create a whole new set of issues and chal- with BSE, according to Dr. Richard between $182 million and $224
lenges that could be costly for all the stake- Breitmeyer, committee chairman. million. That doesn’t include the
holders and seriously impair the free and
open marketing of cattle in the United “While there is agreement on cost of increased surveillance test-
States.” Nancy Robinson, V.P. for Government & many points, we are most con- ing.”
Industry Affairs, Livestock Marketing Association cerned about the Subcommittee See BSE | page 7