Company Blames Layoffs On Mad Cow

[UpInArms]

http://www.theiowachannel.com/money/2847214/detail.html

AMES, Iowa -- Partially due to the mad cow outbreak, about 60 jobs were eliminated from a company that produces protein products.

<snip>

The reduction of about 30 corporate and 30 plant positions is partially due to a cow found with mad cow disease in the United States in December.

<snip>

The ban many countries have on American beef has cost the company more than 50 percent of its export markets. The company also said changing animal feed regulations has affected its industries. Before the layoffs, there were 160 corporate employees at the two locations.

...very short newsblurb...

guess that weaker dollar is not going to "help" us with those exports.

[HuckleB]

1. I'm struggling to see how 60 people from one company...

are losing their jobs due to the mad cow incident, umm, less than two months later. Doesn't wash with me.

[UpInArms]

2. I agree -

what does "partially due to" actually mean?

What is the rest of that equation?