Current Press Releases

Eighth Case of Mad Cow Confirmed in North America Amidst USDA Failures

Farm Sanctuary Reissues Call for Policies to Protect Human and Animal Health

Watkins Glen, NY - April 17, 2006 - An eighth case of "mad cow" disease has been confirmed in North America, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has failed to take necessary action to prevent its spread. Farm Sanctuary is urging the USDA to prohibit the import of Canadian cattle and to enact a permanent ban on slaughtering "downed" animals, animals too sick or weak to stand, for food. The majority of cows confirmed to be afflicted with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease) in North America have been downed animals. In addition, early reports on this latest case of BSE indicate that the six year old dairy cow had trouble walking.

The most recent confirmed case is the second Canadian cow to be found with BSE born after a feed ban was put in place in 1997. In both cases, contaminated feed is suspected as the cause of transmission of the disease throwing doubt on the effectiveness of the feed ban.

Although past discoveries of BSE have triggered a ban on Canadian imports and a ban on slaughtering downed cattle for food, the USDA has lifted the ban on Canadian imports under 30 months of age. Since the last announcement of a BSE case in Canada in January 2006, the USDA has continued its efforts to open imports of cows from Canada over 30 months of age. In addition, USDA Secretary, Mike Johanns has raised the possibility of removing the current, interim ban on slaughtering downed cattle for human food.

"The USDA should be strengthening its policies to prevent the spread of mad cow disease, not weakening them," said Gene Baur (formerly Bauston), president of Farm Sanctuary. "The Agency is acting irresponsibly, and placing both humans and animals at risk."

Additional information on Farm Sanctuary's campaign to permanently end the marketing of downed cattle can be found at http://www.nodowners.org.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.