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Part of the first shipment of U.S. beef to arrive in Japan following the reopening of the Japanese market to U.S. beef.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE): Information and Updates

For complete information about BSE, please go to our main BSE page.

• Statement By Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns Regarding Resumption Of U.S. Beef Trade With Hong Kong (12/29/05)
  -- U.S. Beef Going To Hong Kong And South Korea Could Be Next (USDA Radio; 12/29/05 - real, mp3)

• Japan Opens Market to U.S. Beef
  -- Statement By Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns (12/11/05)
  -- Audio
  -- USDA Amends Regulations Governing The Importation Of Whole Cuts Of Boneless Beef From Japan (12/12/05)
  -- Webcast Audio (12/12/05)
  -- Press Conference Transcript (12/12/05)
  -- Johann Makes Beef Announcement (USDA Radio; 12/12/05 - real, mp3, wave)
  -- Japan Takes First U.S. Beef Shipment (USDA Radio; 12/16/05 - real, mp3, wave)
  -- Opening The Asia Beef Market (USDA Radio; 12/19/05 - real, mp3, wave)
  -- USDA Analyzing Potential Japanese Beef Buys (USDA Radio; 12/27/05 - real, mp3, wave)
  -- U.S. Beef Exports Are Up Due To Japan Opening Its Market (USDA Radio; 01/12/06 - real, mp3, wave)

• Update On U.S. Japanese Beef Trade (USDA Radio; 11/15/05 - real, mp3, wave)

• Japanese Take Positive Step Towards Resuming Beef Trade (USDA Radio; 11/02/05 - real, mp3, wave)

• USDA'S Johanns and USTR Portman Welcome Lifting of Beef Ban by Thailand (10/20/05)

• FDA Proposes Additional ''Mad Cow'' Safeguards (10/04/05)

• Joint Statement from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - Investigation Results of Texas Cow That Tested Positive for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (08/30/05)
  --  Johanns Announces Key Component Of Animal I.D. System (08/30/05)
  -- Transcript: USDA And FDA Officials Provide Update On Animal ID And Epidemiology Results (08/30/05)
  -- Johanns Issues Animal ID Principles (USDA Radio; 08/30/05 - real, mp3, wave)

• The Philippines Lifts Ban On U.S. Beef And Beef Products (08/04/05)
  --  Another Country Lifts Ban on U.S. Beef (USDA Radio; 08/04/05 - real, mp3, wave)

• Non-definitive Test Result Reported on July 27 Is Negative for BSE  (08/03/05)

• Statement by Dr. John Clifford Regarding Non-Definitive BSE Test Results (07/27/05)
  -- Transcript of Technical Briefing (07/27/05)
  -- Non Definitive Sample Requires Further Testing (USDA Radio; 07/27/05 - real, mp3, wave)
  --  Johanns Says BSE Program Credible and Beef Is Safe (USDA Radio; 07/28/05 - real, mp3, wave)

• Chile Opens Borders to U.S. Beef
  Chile is lifting its ban on U.S. beef and beef products from animals less than 30 months of age. In 2003, the United States exported $5.3 million worth of beef and beef products to Chile. Chile imposed a ban on U.S. beef and beef products on Dec. 24, 2003. (07/19/05)

• Johanns Hoping for Faster Reopening of Japan's Beef Market (07/15/05; USDA Radio News, real, mp3)

• Johanns Announces Next Steps for Importing Canadian Cattle
  From Madagascar, the USDA Secretary outlined the steps necessary to reopen the U.S. border to Canadian cattle under 30 months of age and other ruminants. (07/15/05)
  --U.S. Prepares To Import Canadian Cattle (07/15/05; USDA Radio News, real, mp3)
  --USDA Prepared for Next Court Hearing (07/15/05; USDA Radio News, real, mp3)
  --Process for Canadian Cattle Imports Explained (07/15/05; USDA Radio News, real, mp3)
  --No Immediate Flood of Canadian Cattle Expected (07/15/05; USDA Radio News, real, mp3)
  --Audio: Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns Discusses Court Ruling on Canadian Cattle Trade and Provides Update on Trip to China and Africa (07/15/05; Transcript)
  --USDA Secretary Johanns Issues Statement on Circuit Court Ruling on BSE Minimal Risk Regions Rule (07/14/05; More on BSE)
  --Questions and Answers for Minimal Risk/Canada Rule
  --Final Rule on BSE and Minimal-Risk Regions (Fact Sheet)

• USDA Secretary Johanns Issues Statement on Circuit Court Ruling on BSE Minimal Risk Regions Rule
  Johanns applauded ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to lift the preliminary injunction blocking implementation of the BSE minimal risk regions rule. Because the ruling takes effect immediately, USDA is taking immediate steps to resume importing cattle under 30 months of age from Canada.  (07/14/05)

• Transcript of U.S. Agriculture Officials Provide Update On BSE Epidemiological Investigation (06/29/05)
  -- Fact Sheet: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) EPI Report  (pdf; from USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 06/29/05)
  -- Statement by USDA Chief Veterinarian John Clifford Regarding the Epidemiological Investigation Into the Recently Confirmed BSE Case (pdf; 06/29/05)
  -- Webcast Video of Press Conference (06/29/05)
  -- BSE Herd Identified (USDA Radio: 06/29/05 - real, mp3, wave)

• USDA Announces BSE Test Results and New BSE Confirmatory Testing Protocol
  Final test results from The Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge, England, confirm that a sample from an animal that was blocked from the food supply in November 2004 has tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). USDA Secretary Johanns also directed USDA scientists to work with international experts to develop a new protocol that includes performing dual confirmatory tests in the event of another "inconclusive" BSE screening test. (06/24/05)
  -- Fact Sheet: The IHC Variables (.pdf; from USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 06/24/05)

• Japanese Officials Review U.S. Livestock Industry (USDA Radio; 06/22/05 - real, mp3, wave)

• BSE Discussion (USDA Video Feature; 06/17/05- windows)

• Statement by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns Regarding the Sample Sent to Weybridge, England for Further Testing (06/16/05)

• Statement By Dr. John Clifford Regarding Further Analysis Of BSE Test Results In Weybridge, England (06/16/05)

• The Timeline of BSE Information  (USDA Radio; 06/15/05 - real, mp3, wave)

• Statement By Dr. John Clifford Regarding Further Analysis Of BSE Inconclusive Test Results
  Earlier this week, USDA's Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which has been partnering with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the Agricultural Research Service by impartially reviewing BSE-related activities and making recommendations for improvement, recommended that all three of these samples be subjected to a second internationally recognized confirmatory test, the OIE-recognized SAF immunoblot test, often referred to as the Western blot test."  (06/10/05)
  Transcript of Press Conference
  Audio of Web Cast
  New Test of Previously Tested Cow Shows Positive BSE Result (USDA Radio; 06/10/05 - real, mp3, wave)

• BSE Roundtable Discussion Today in Minnesota
  The safety of North American beef and the economic effects on beef industry are being discussed at a public roundtable hosted by USDA in St. Paul, Minnesota. Recorded webcast of all  roundtable sessions will be available tomorrow (Friday, June 10). (06/09/05)
  -- Recorded webcast of USDA Secretary Johanns' introductory remarks (Transcript; 06/09/05)
  -- USDA Secretary Johanns Announces BSE Roundtable Discussion on June 9 (06/06/05)
  -- Announcement on USDA Radio (05/31/05; real, mp3, wave)

• OIE Adopts New BSE Policy Guidelines
  The Organization for International Epizootics, also known as the World Animal Health Organization, recently adopted new BSE policies. (USDA Radio; 06/07/05) - real, mp3

• Lebanon Reopens Market for U.S. Beef Products
  Lebanon has resumed the import of U.S. beef and beef products from animals under 30 months of age. In 2003, the United States exported $643,000 worth of beef and beef products to Lebanon. (06/02/05)

• U.S. Meat Export Forecast
  The U.S. meat export forecast is a good one despite the ban on U.S. beef exports in a number of markets. (USDA Radio, 05/31/05; real, mp3, wave)

• Statement by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns Regarding The OIE's Adoption Of Changes To The International Animal Health Code Chapter On BSE (05/26/05)  
  (USDA Radio) - real, mp3, wave

• USDA Announces BSE Roundtable Discussion
  Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will hold a roundtable discussion on June 9 regarding the safety of North American beef and the changing infrastructure of the industry. Johanns noted that data illustrating the success of USDA's enhanced BSE surveillance program will be part of the roundtable discussion entitled "The Safety of North American Beef and the Economic Effect of BSE on the U.S. Beef Industry."  Transcript; USDA Radio - - real, mp3, wave; video news release (05/17/05) 

• Oman Reopens Market for U.S. Beef Products
  The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that Oman has lifted its ban on all U.S. beef and beef product imports. It is the second country in the Middle East region to reopen its market to U.S. beef.  (05/09/05)

• Transcript of Tele-News Conference on Animal I.D. Issues With Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Bill Hawks Chief Economist Keith Collins and Administrator of the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service Ron DeHaven, Washington D.C. (05/05/05)
• USDA Unveils Multi¿Year Draft Strategic Plan For The National Animal Identification System (05/05/05)
• Technical Experts Travel To Japan And Korea To Facilitate Resumption Of U.S. Beef Exports
  Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that a team of experts on Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) will travel to South Korea and Japan as part of the continuing efforts to resume U.S. beef and beef product exports.  (04/18/05)
• Taiwan Reopens Market For U.S. Beef Products
  The USDA today announced that Taiwan is lifting its ban on U.S. boneless beef from animals under 30 months of age effective April 16, 2005.  (04/07/05)
• Canada, Mexico And United States Release Harmonized North American BSE Strategy
  Science-based framework of risk management measures for BSE was developed to help normalize trade in ruminants and ruminant products within North America and to promote an international BSE strategy consistent with World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines. (04/01/05)
• U.S., Canadian Agriculture Officials Issue Joint Statement During Cairns Group Ministerial
  Minister Andy Mitchell, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Secretary Mike Johanns, U.S. Department of Agriculture, met in Cartagena, Colombia, to discuss BSE and other matters of mutual importance to agriculture in their two countries. (03/31/05)
• Egypt Lifts Ban On U.S. Beef Products
  U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns  has announced  that Egypt is immediately resuming imports of U.S. beef and beef products from animals less than 30 months of age.  (3/21/05)
• Johanns Announces Expansion of BSE Research Program and Research Initiative to Improve Food Safety
  Almost $2 million in funding has been redirected to enhance research on BSE, and $5 million has been awarded to 17 colleges and universities to establish a Food Safety Research and Response Network. (03/18/05)
• U.S. Government Requests Appeal In Minimal-Risk Rule Case (3/17/05)
• USDA Secretary Mike Johanns Issues Statement Regarding the Passage of S.J.Res. 4 by the U.S. Senate
  • U.S. Senate vote disapproved a USDA-submitted rule to establish minimal risk regions and resume trade in Canadian beef and cattle under 30 months of age. (03/03/05)
• Statement by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns Regarding Beef Imports from Canada
          "Our ongoing investigations into the recent finds of BSE in Canada in animals over 30 months are not complete. Therefore, I feel it is prudent to delay the effective date for allowing imports of meat from animals 30 months and over."  (02/09/05)
• Statement by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns Regarding Japanese Expert Panel Meeting on BSE           
  • A Japanese government panel accepted U.S. assurances that a specific grade of
    U.S. beef would be free of BSE. (02/08/05)
  • Statement by U.S. Ambassador to Japan Howard H. Baker, Jr.
• Statement By Dr. Ron DeHaven, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - January 11, 2005
  • "Today, Canada announced that a six year, nine month old cow has tested positive for BSE. We remain confident that the animal and public health measures that Canada has in place to prevent BSE, combined with existing U.S. domestic safeguards, provide the utmost protections to U.S. consumers and livestock."   (01/11/05)
• USDA and Canadian Food Inspection Agency Work Closely To Investigate Recent BSE Positive Test Case in Canada
  • Statement by Dr. Ron Dehaven, Administrator, APHIS: Investigation focuses on identifying birth cohorts -- animals born in the same herd within one year of the affected animal. Preliminary results show that one birth cohort was imported into the United States in February 2002 for immediate slaughter. USDA, with FDA, is now tracing the disposition of this animal.  (01/07/05)
• USDA Releases Rule To Establish Minimal-Risk Regions For Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy - Recognizes Canada as Minimal-Risk Region, Making it Eligible to Export to the United States
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that after conducting an extensive risk review it is establishing conditions under which it will allow imports of live cattle under 30 months of age and certain other commodities from regions with effective bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) prevention and detection measures. (12/29/04)
    • Full text: From the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS):
    Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Minimal-Risk Regions and Importation of Commodities— FINAL RULE— 9 CFR Parts 93, 94, 95, and 96 [Docket No. 03-080-3]
    • Statement By Dr. Ron Dehaven Administrator, APHIS  (01/03/05)
    • Statement By Dr. Ron Dehaven Administrator, APHIS  (12/30/04)
    • Transcript of Press Conference With USDA Officials (12/29/04)
    • Audio of Press Conference (12/29/04)
    • Risk Document
    • Economic Analysis
    • Appendix to economic analysis
    • Final environmental assessment
    • Final Rule on BSE and Minimal-Risk Regions (Factsheet)
    • Questions and Answers for Minimal Risk/Canada Rule
• Jamaica Lifts Ban on U.S. Beef Products (12/06/04)
• USDA Announces Taiwan to Resume U.S. Beef Trade (10/26/04)
• U.S. - Japanese Officials Conclude Agreement for Resumption of Beef Trade (10/23/04)
• Transcript of J.B. Penn, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services- Press Briefing - U.S. Embassy, Tokyo, Japan
• U.S./Japan Technical BSE Working Group Concludes Series of Meetings in Tokyo (07/22/04)
  -- Final report (.PDF | requires Adobe Acrobat Reader; 07/22/04)
• USDA Officials Hold Technical Briefing To Discuss Recent Draft Report on BSE Surveillance Program (07/13/04)
• USDA and HHS Strengthen Safeguards Against Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (07/09/04)
• Statement By Deputy Administrator Dr. John Clifford For The Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (07/02/04)
• Statement By Dr. Peter Fernandez Of The Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service For The U.S. BSE Technical Working Group (06/30/04)
• Inconclusive Screening Test Sample Reported on June 25 Tests Negative for BSE Upon Confirmatory Testing    -- Transcript     -- Audio   (06/30/04)
• Statement By Deputy Administrator Dr. John Clifford For The Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (06/29/04)
• Statement By Deputy Administrator Dr. John Clifford for The Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (Transcript; 06/25/04)
• Press Statement by Dr. Peter Fernandez Chairman, US BSE Technical Working Group Associate Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA (05/18/04)
• United States and Japan To Hold First BSE Technical Working Group Meeting (5/12/04)
• USDA Announces Framework and Funding for National Animal ID System (04/27/04)
• U.S. Officials Hold Third Consultation With Japan on BSE (04/24/04)
  -- Transcript: Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services J.B. Penn’s Discussion Regarding Japan With the Press, Washington D.C. (04/26/04)
• Statement by Agriculture Secretary Veneman and U.S. Trade Representative Zoellick Regarding Beef Trade With Japan (04/01/04)
• Veneman Announces Expanded BSE Surveillance Program  |  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Surveillance Plan (.pdf) (03/15/04)
• Technical Briefing Transcript (03/15/04)
• Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Surveillance Plan (03/15/04)
• Beef Trade Resumes with Mexico (03/03/04)
• USDA Technical Briefing on BSE and Avian Influenza (02/23/04)
• Report of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases: Measures Relating to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in the United States (DOC)  (02/23/04)
• Secretary’s Advisory Committee for Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases 2004-2005 Committee Members (DOC)  (02/23/04)
• USDA BSE Update (02/09/04)
• USDA Technical Briefing Webcast noon. EST, 02/09/04 - Transcript
• USDA BSE Update (02/06/04)
• USDA BSE Update (02/05/04)
• USDA BSE Update (02/04/04) 
• USDA BSE Update (02/02/04)
• USDA BSE Update (02/03/04)
  International Review Subcommittee Report (PDF)
• President's FY 2005 Budget to Include Increased Funding for BSE Related Activities (01/29/04)
• Secretary Veneman Testimony before the Senate Agriculture Committee on BSE (01/27/04)
• Press Briefing on BSE by Dr. J.B. Penn, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, at the Japanese Embassy (01/23/04)
• Press Briefing in Japan on BSE by Dr. J.B. Penn, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (01/22/04)
• Secretary Veneman Testimony before the House Agriculture Committee on BSE (01/21/04)
• U.S. meat and livestock imports/exports by country—annual and year-to-date  
     | monthly
• Guidance for Exporters   |   BSE Trade Ban Status (APHIS)
• BSE Chronology     |   More BSE Information