June 28, 2004

U.S. Animal Suspected Of BSE Won't Affect Beef Trade

The discovery of a U.S. animal that may have tested positive for mad cow disease should not immediately impact U.S. beef exports, a U.S. Agriculture Department official said on Friday.

"We don't think at this point in time this would affect trade with our trading partners," said John Clifford, the USDA's chief veterinarian. "It's very likely this animal could be negative (for mad cow disease)."

The USDA said the animal will be retested at a federal veterinary laboratory in Iowa for confirmation.

The USDA did not say whether the animal was a cow, steer or bull.