NCBA Media Advisory on USDA Announcement of Second Inconclusive BSE Test Result

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:    

Walt Barnhart              (303) 850-3360, cell:   (720)987-4783            wbarnhart@beef.org

Michele Peterson        (303) 850-3343, cell:   (303)725-5126            mpeterson@beef.org

NCBA Media Advisory on
USDA Announcement of Second Inconclusive BSE Test Result

(DENVER) June 29, 2004 – Earlier this evening, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a second inconclusive test result as part of its aggressive surveillance program to test cattle for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE, known as mad cow disease). The USDA explained this announcement does not mean the U.S. has another case of BSE.  Inconclusive tests are a normal component of most screening tests, which are designed to be extremely sensitive.

USDA has announced that it will hold a technical briefing tomorrow afternoon, June 30.  NCBA will monitor the briefing.  NCBA leadership is available for comment by contacting the staff listed above.  For additional information, please visit the industry’s BSE resource:  www.BSEinfo.org.

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Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the NCBA is a trade association of America's cattle farmers and ranchers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation's food and fiber industry.