AMI Cattle Alert:  BSE Sample Previously Deemed Negative Prompts Questions

Further analysis of a BSE test deemed negative in November 2004 now has shown what USDA is calling a “weak positive” that required additional analysis.  USDA made the announcement in late-evening press conference Friday, June 10, but stressed that it was premature to declare the sample a “confirmed” case of BSE.

At the recommendation of USDA’s Office of the Inspector General, USDA agreed to subject three samples that were initially declared “inconclusive” for BSE but later found negative to additional testing using the “Western Blot” method. The other two samples have again been found negative using Western Blot, but the November 2004 sample showed some “reactivity” and will be sent to Weybridge, England for further testing.  USDA was uncertain about when results might be received.

The previous negative finding was made using immunohistohemistry or ‘IHC,’  an internationally recognized confirmatory test for BSE. The Department is calling the new finding a “weak positive” because the sample required enrichment and a substantially greater amount of normal tissue in order to produce this outcome. “In order to find the abnormal protein present you had to use more material and concentrate it,” APHIS Veterinary Services Chief Dr. John Clifford said.  “You would have to use about 20 times the amount of tissue for this to determine to be a positive or reactive on the Western Blot versus the one that was discovered in December [2003] in the state of Washington.”

Clifford noted that the animal was non-ambulatory and did not enter the food or feed supply.  He said it was processed at a plant that handles only animals not suited to human consumption and that the carcass was incinerated.  

“There is no risk to human health here. The animal did not get in the food or the feed chain. The firewalls that the USDA put in place some time ago once again have shown that they do work,” Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said.   “I do not believe that the information that we have released should impact our discussions with Japan, Korea or Canada. Again, age of animal alone would indicate we're dealing with a much different circumstance.”

AMI Foundation President James H. Hodges echoed Johanns’ comments.  “Even if the case confirms positive, it is important to remember that our firewalls have worked.  This animal did not enter the food or feed supply,” Hodges said.  “This news reflects USDA’s commitment to a transparent, robust testing program. Consumers should not be concerned about the safety of beef.   North America has one of the healthiest cattle herds in the world, and one of the safest food supplies, and that fact cannot be denied.”

For more information visit http://www.meatami.com/