*EPF405 01/15/2004
Byliner: Trading Partners Can Be Confident of U.S. Beef Safety Measures
(Op-ed column from USA Today) (400)

(This byliner by Ann M. Veneman, secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, first appeared in USA Today January 15, 2004, and is in the public domain. No republication restrictions.)

(begin byliner)

Science Backs Up Decision
By Ann M. Veneman

Policies regarding the international trade of food and agricultural products must be based on sound science. This is a principle that the United States and its trading partners all have agreed to apply when dealing with international trade issues, such as those relating to a single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) found in Washington state last month.

After Canada detected a case of BSE last May, the international community, including the United States, banned the importation of Canadian beef and live cattle.

After conducting a complete and thorough investigation into the incident, as well as implementing additional safeguards to its already-strong system, Canada began the process of requesting that trade resume.

The United States reviewed the scientific evidence and determined that imports of boneless beef from animals under 30 months of age and certain other products could safely resume.

Last August, the United States began permitting these products into the country. The U.S. decision was consistent with international scientific standards that allow for trade to resume when a country has taken the necessary actions to prevent the spread of BSE.

We reacted similarly last month when a case of BSE was found in the United States. We launched an aggressive investigation to determine the source of the case.

I also announced bold new measures to strengthen our multiple firewalls, which have been in place for more than a decade, and asked an international panel of scientific experts to review our systems and make further recommendations.

Now, we are asking our trading partners to recognize the actions we have taken.

In addition, we ���� along with Canada and Mexico ���� have asked the World Organization for Animal Health to clarify its guidelines regarding trade among countries with BSE and put all countries on the same playing field.

U.S. beef is safe for consumers in the United States and around the world.

Basing decisions on science is good policy. We urge our trading partners to agree.

(Ann M. Veneman is secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.)

(end byliner)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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