The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has proposed new import regulations for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) to align with criteria set by the World Health Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
“This proposal is an important step forward in our efforts to bring our import regulations in line with science-based, international animal health standards,” said Dr. John Clifford, APHIS deputy administrator and chief veterinary officer. “The proposal will help ensure we continue to provide strong protections against BSE, continue to make science-based decisions and fully support safe trade in bovine commodities.”
The proposed rule would not change existing measures to ensure food safety through BSE oversight, including the ban on ruminant-to-ruminant feed and the BSE surveillance program.
“As we continue to protect the health of the U.S. cattle industry, this proposal will also assist us in future negotiations to reopen important trade markets that remain closed to U.S. beef,” Clifford added.
The proposed BSE regulations will be available for public comment through the Federal Register within a week.