Rendered Animal Protein Products Imports From Europe BANNED

Statement of Craig Reed, Administrator USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 19dec00

 "As of December 7, 2000, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has prohibited all imports of rendered animal protein products, regardless of species, from Europe. This decision followed the recent determination by the European Union that feed of non-ruminant origin was potentially cross-contaminated with the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) agent. The restriction applies to products originating, rendered, processed or otherwise associated with European products. USDA is taking this emergency action to prevent potentially cross-contaminated products entering the United States. The same type of rendered product from ruminant origin has been prohibited from BSE infected countries since 1989 and the entirety of Europe since 1997. "USDA bases all decisions regarding imports on sound science and extensive research. Although no case of BSE has ever been diagnosed in this country, we continue to take aggressive measures to protect the United States from BSE introduction and to ensure the security of U.S. export markets. These measures include active surveillance, testing, prevention, education, and emergency preparation. Since 1989, the United States has banned the import of live ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats) and most ruminant products from countries where BSE has been reported. In 1998, USDA entered into a cooperative agreement with Harvard University's School of Public Health to analyze and evaluate the Department's efforts to prevent BSE. A report is expected to be issued early next year."