First-ever U.S. case of mad cow suspected in Washington state

[Norbert]

A single Holstein on a Washington state farm has tested positive for mad cow disease, marking the first suspected appearance of the brain-wasting disease in the United States, the U.S. administration announced Tuesday as it assured Americans their food is safe.

Canada has no immediate plans to close its borders to U.S. beef, sources in Ottawa said.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said the slaughtered cow was screened earlier this month and any diseased parts were removed before they could enter the food supply and infect humans. Fear of the disease has brought economic ruin on beef industries in Europe and Canada.

"We remain confident in the safety of our food supply," Veneman told a hastily convened news conference.

http://www.canada.com/health/story.html?id=F45CD6C8-0F3B-4985-9995-969D81CB9349

I also heard on Countdown that South Korea and maybe Japan may halt US exports of beef. He also said there an announcement tomorrow by the USDA that there may be a volentary recall of beef in the US.

[JailForBush]

1. We asked for it.

I'm not an expert on mad cow disease, but it sounds like this is yet another disaster that can be largely blamed on human folly. Chalk it up to corporate farming, greed and conservative disdain for science. (There's something deeply symbolic about feeding cows to cows; I guess it reminds me of corporations devouring taxpayers, workers and children.)

It's somewhat ironic that this case popped up in Washington, a state that isn't the leader of America's beef or dairy industries but IS a leader in corporate corruption and unemployment. It would be wonderful if Bill Gates and Governor Gary Locke were the first Americans diagnosed with Mad Cow Disease.

[JailForBush]

2. "'"This is a clear indication that our surveillance and detection program

is working,' Veneman said."

Yeah, right - just like 9/11 was a clear indication that George W. Bush was doing his job.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Add to your list

The EU, will happen overnight, count on it

Latin America, will happen overnight

Count on the market most likely going down

Count on the dollar going down

WORST CASE (and using the UK as an example) when all is said and done this will cost the industry TRILLIONS and could further depress local economies in rural areas.

This is a disaster folks no way around it

[JailForBush]

4. Is the beef/dairy industry really worth trillions?

I'm sure it ranks in the billions, but TRILLIONS?

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Yes

Look at the futures market and how many Tons are produced of beef a year and the price.

Then do the math yourself and remember you wil need to add infrastructure to it, since some of it will have to be destroyed... assuming worst case scenario... so add oh 10% to your number to cover the infrastructure and yes that part I am low balling it

http://www.dailyfutures.com/livestock/

[toodles_oduff]

7. Restaurants will take a hit!

Especially restaurants with menus that center around beef entrees. Think of all the fast food restaurants where hamburgers are the centerpiece, not to mention all the steakhouse-type places like Ponderosa, Longhorn, Lone Star, Outback, etc. It may impact supermarkets somewhat though probably not to the same extent. I suppose the aforementioned eating establishments could play up alternate forms of animal protein (pork, fish, chicken, lamb), but can we be certain that these prions might not also infiltrate those species as well?

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. So far from scientifci studies thsi is only limited to cows

BSE emerged in the mid 1980s in the UK

Every country where this has happened has taken a major hit and the
cattle industry HAS BEEN DECIMATED

This is the worst kind of news for the beef council... and yes in an
ideal world even a former Lobyist for the beef indusry, (Our lovely and trying to keep them calm Secretary of Agriculture... yes the sarcasm is on purpose that press conference was SOMETHIGN to behold), will have to now admit...all them regulatiosn they have been fighitng against for these many years ARE NEEDED

[toodles_oduff]

10. What about that disease that affects deer?

Some kind of wasting disease that affects their brains (if I remember correctly). Some deer hunters died of it. The theory was that they caught it from contact with the animals when butchering them and maybe from eating the venison.

[HereSince1628]

6. I can believe that...

Just playing with numbers in my head...300 million americans, 1-2 pounds of beef/beef products per person per week, 52 weeks a year, and then $3 per pound average.

and that's not including milk and cow-milk cheese...

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. They said on ABC that it was only worht BILLIONS

but somehow I do not believe it is only billions

Just doing the math just for the CATTLE side... and you are right they are not including the cheese and milk and all that