N E W S
| November 24. 2004 |
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| WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), today assailed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prematurely announcing an inconclusive discovery of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) last week that was overturned yesterday after more thorough testing. Rehberg, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, today urged Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to initiate an investigation by the agency’s independent Inspector General. “Yesterday the domestic beef industry dodged another bullet when the third inconclusive BSE test was officially announced as being negative,” Rehberg said, referring to the premature announcement of an inconclusive BSE discovery that it dismissed yesterday. “This incident still created damaging effects.” The latest episode is the third such inconclusive case of so-called “mad cow disease” announced and subsequently dismissed by USDA. Earlier this year, the agency twice announced separate cases in which preliminary tests presented inconclusive indications of mad cow disease. Later, the agency announced more accurate and thorough testing proved negative. “I can understand the administration’s desire to be completely transparent with their testing protocol and upfront about the ongoing investigation. However, this most recent case, along with the first two inconclusive cases resulted in reduced market prices,” Rehberg said, “Millions of dollars were lost due to a governmental action rather than a marketplace action.” The USDA has already approved a single, more thorough test, which is currently in use in other countries. Yielding no false positives, the test renders a final, absolute answer within hours. “I am troubled that USDA persists in employing a test that continues to throw a “question mark” into the marketplace when they have approved a technology that will result in a resounding “period,” Rehberg said. “I respectfully request you initiate an Inspector General’s investigation into USDA’s BSE testing protocol and the market impacts of these inconclusive BSE cases.” LETTER ATTACHED November 24, 2004 The Honorable Ann Veneman Dear Secretary Veneman, Yesterday the domestic beef industry dodged another bullet when the third inconclusive BSE test was officially announced as being negative. The announcement was a blessing for the industry and prevented further negative impacts. However, this incident still created damaging effects. I can understand the administration’s desire to be completely transparent with their testing protocol and upfront about the ongoing investigation. However, this most recent case, along with the first two inconclusive cases resulted in reduced market prices. Millions of dollars were lost due to a governmental action rather than a marketplace action. I am aware that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved several “quick tests” for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). At least one of these testing manufacturers guarantees their test will not exhibit inconclusive cases or false positives. I am troubled that USDA persists in employing a test that continues to throw a “question mark” into the marketplace when they have approved a technology that will result in a resounding “period.” I respectfully request you initiate an Inspector General’s investigation into USDA’s BSE testing protocol and the market impacts of these cases. I thank you for your attention to this matter and do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance. Sincerely,
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