Unlawful to test for mad cow

A story already widely discussed on weblogs, but too crazy to let drop: Japan will not allow beef imports from the U.S. unless each animal is tested for mad cow, and Kentucky cattleman John Stewart of Creekstone Farm would be happy to oblige in order to sell his products there. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, […]

A story already widely discussed on weblogs, but too crazy to let drop: Japan will not allow beef imports from the U.S. unless each animal is tested for mad cow, and Kentucky cattleman John Stewart of Creekstone Farm would be happy to oblige in order to sell his products there. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, however, supported by most of the beef industry, has ruled that he may not: the department does not intend to set up a testing program itself, and private testing is unlawful. “They’ve told us if we attempt to buy those test kits and use them, they are going to put me in jail,” Stewart said. (David Kerley, “Mad Cow, Madder Cattleman”, ABCNews.com, May 2 (aired on Apr. 18))

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