March 20, 2009
US to delay BSE feed ban
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will delay for 60 days a stricter rule on livestock feed ingredients aimed at preventing Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease, a FDA spokesperson said Wednesday (Mar 18).
The rule was scheduled to take effect on April 27, and the delay will allow more time for compliance, the spokesperson said.
FDA unveiled the rule April 2008, saying it will strengthen current safeguards against BSE.
Under the revised rule, animal feed cannot contain cattle parts that would pose the risk of spreading BSE. The parts include the brains and spinal cords from cattle that are 30 months or older, cattle from all ages that are not inspected for slaughter, and carcasses of cattle infected with BSE.
The US has had three BSE cases since December 2003, with the most recent on March 2006.
Since 1997, the US has prohibited the use of high-risk cattle parts in feed for ruminants.
Scientists said BSE is caused by malformed proteins and is spread by consumption of infected meats. It is generally a disease of older cattle.
US safeguards against the disease also include a ban of slaughter of downer cattle for food.