Updated 02/14/05

BSE and Actions to Prevent Spread

• Steps to prevent the spread of BSE in the U.S.
• Useful links

Steps to prevent the spread of BSE in the U.S.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits the imports of all ruminants and rendered animal products from countries with BSE. Changes in U.S. policy toward Canada were announced Aug. 8 in a news conference. (Ruminants are animals that chew their cud, such as cattle, sheep, goats, deer and bison.)
• A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) BSE Rule has prohibited feeding most mammalian proteins to ruminants since 1997.   
• Feed mills, renderers, and other businesses in the feed industry in Washington are inspected by WSDA or FDA personnel for compliance with feed laws. 
• Government and industry associations are educating ruminant feeders about BSE. 

Fish, pigs, chickens, and horses are not known to carry BSE so the protein derived from their bodies may be used in ruminant feed products.

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Useful links

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

• Report on BSE in North America

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

• BSE Rule has prohibited feeding most mammalian proteins to ruminants since 1997.

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