January 22, 2004

Cattle Tested From Mad Cow Herd All Negative

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Tuesday that to date, 121 samples from the index herd where a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad-cow disease, was discovered in December have been tested for the disease and the results have been negative.

The USDA said in a press release that on January 19, the agency completed selective depopulation operations on the facility in Mattawa, Wash. The USDA has transported and sampled a total of 39 animals from this facility. Selective depopulation has also been completed at the index premises.

A total of 131 animals from the index premises have been euthanized and sampled. Of the 131, the 121 results available so far were all negative.

Results from the Mattawa herd are not yet available.

The USDA said the investigation into the 81 cows that came from Canada continues. In total, 23 of the 81 cows that came from Canada have been located.

Senior U.S. government officials are continuing talks with trading partners and this week will be meeting with officials in Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong and South Korea to discuss BSE-related issues.