November 23, 2004

Mexico Not Imposing Further Restrictions on US Beef

The Mexican government has said it is not planning to impose any new restrictions on US beef imports even if tests confirm a new case of BSE, or mad cow disease, in the US.

An inconclusive BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) test result was received in the US last week on a rapid screening test used as part of its BSE surveillance programme. Results of further tests are expected this week.

However, Mexico has said its current restrictions on US beef imports, tightened after a single BSE case was discovered in the US last December, are satisfactory.

"We have a sacrifice protocol that has been in place since March that protects us from any risk," according to Mexican Agriculture Minister Javier Usabiaga.