U.S., Japan Compromise on Mad Cow Tests

[Sliverofhope]

After months of wrangling, Japanese and U.S. scientists agreed Thursday to recommend an end to tests for mad cow disease in young and newborn cattle - a compromise that could reopen the lucrative beef trade between the two countries.

The scientists' recommendation, in a report to Tokyo and Washington, came at the end of two-day talks aimed at settling a dispute over safeguards for the fatal brain-wasting illness.

Japan was one of 30 nations to impose a ban on American beef several months ago following the discovery of the first U.S. case of mad cow disease. Washington has sought a lifting of the ban. But Tokyo - citing its own blanket testing for the disease - has refused to do so until the United States tests all cows slaughtered for food.

Japan appeared to back off that demand on Thursday.

http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2004/07/22/ap1466182.html

[Hekate]

1. Oh, damn; I was counting on the Japanese...

...and the EU to help out the American people when our own government won't! I'm disappointed that Japan would cave to pressure from the US. Refusal of enough big markets to buy US beef would force beneficial changes in our policies at home.

What a strange world it has become, when my country's governmental agencies -- that once upon a time stopped Thalidomide at the borders -- would rather poison its own people than see a drop in already outrageous profits.

Hekate

[Sliverofhope]

3. I can't believe the lack of attention this is getting

I guess people to have to die before anything changes in America.

[maddezmom]

4. check this one out

Bill to set voluntary labeling of country of origin passes House


http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?tl=1&display=rednews/2004/07/22/build/state/35-country-origin-bill.inc

[daleo]

2. So, the compromise is for everybody to do less testing?

Every day it just gets weirder.