No mad cow tests at Texas firm in 2004

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20040513-065401-5285r

WASHINGTON, May 14 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture did not test any cows for mad cow disease in the past seven months at the same Texas facility where federal testing policies for the deadly disorder were violated last month, United Press International has learned.

The USDA also failed to test a single cow in 2002 at another Texas slaughterhouse that processes high-risk, downer cows, according to agency testing records obtained by UPI under the Freedom of Information Act. Downer cows are unable to stand or walk, which can be an indication of mad cow disease, as well as other disorders.

USDA spokesman Jim Rogers told UPI the agency has not conducted any mad cow tests at Lone Star Beef Processors, in San Angelo, Texas, this fiscal year, which began on Oct. 1, 2003.

The revelation comes in the wake of a case at Lone Star last month, in which a cow that had exhibited signs of a brain disorder was not tested for mad cow disease, despite a USDA policy to test all such cows because they are considered the most likely to be infected.

more

[aquart]

1. So exactly who ate those cows?

[gulfcoastliberal]

4. Anyone eating Steaks and Burgers, Stews, Soups

Or anything made with beef has a damn good chance of eating downer cow meat. Just look at the old dairy cow, it was processed and sent to stores all over the west. I stopped eating beef about 8 months ago and don't miss it one bit.

[donsu]

2. this is criminal

in the future people are going to be sorry they didn't stop eating beef.

[UpInArms]

3. I hope my family gave up beef soon enough

but I guess we won't know for a few years -

haven't had anything with beef or its by-products since December 2003.