#########Greetings List Members,
I was lucky enough to sit in on this BSE conference
call today and even managed to ask a question.
that is when the trouble started.
I submitted a version of my notes to
Sandra Blakeslee of the New York Times,
whom seemed very upset, and rightly
so.
"They tell me it is a closed meeting and
they will release whatever information
they deem fit. Rather infuriating."
and i would have been doing just fine,
until i asked my question. i was surprised
my time to ask a question so quick.
(understand, these are taken from my notes for now.
the spelling of names and such could be off.)
[host Richard Barns]
and now a question from Terry S. Singeltary of
CJD Watch.
[TSS]
yes, thank you,
U.S. cattle, what kind of guarantee can you
give for serum or tissue donor herds?
[no answer, you could hear in the back ground,
mumbling and 'we can't. have him ask the question
again.]
[host Richard]
could you repeat the question?
[TSS]
U.S. cattle, what kind of guarantee can you
give for serum or tissue donor herds?
[not sure whom ask this]
what group are you with?
[TSS]
CJD Watch, my Mom died from hvCJD and we are
tracking CJD world-wide.
[not sure who is speaking]
could you please disconnect Mr. Singeltary
[TSS]
you are not going to answer my question?
[not sure whom speaking]
NO
from this point, i was still connected, got to listen
and tape the whole conference. at one point someone
came on, a woman, and ask again;
[unknown woman]
what group are you with?
[TSS]
CJD Watch and my Mom died from hvCJD
we are trying to tract down CJD and other
human TSE's world wide. i was invited to
sit in on this from someone inside the USDA/APHIS
and that is why i am here. do you intend on banning
me from this conference now?
at this point the conference was turned back up,
and i got to finish listening. They never answered
or even addressed my one question, or even addressed
the issue. BUT, i will try and give you a run-down
for now, of the conference.
IF i were another Country, I would take heed to my
notes, BUT PLEASE do not depend on them. ask for
transcript from;
RBARNS@ORA.FDA.GOV
301-827-6906
he would be glad to give you one ;-)
Rockville Maryland,
Richard Barns Host
BSE issues in the U.S.,
How they were labelling ruminant feed?
Revising issues.
The conference opened up with the explaining of
the U.K. BSE epidemic winding down with about 30
cases a week.
although new cases in other countries were now
appearing.
Look at Germany whom said NO BSE and now have BSE.
BSE increasing across Europe.
Because of Temporary Ban on certain rendered product,
heightened interest in U.S.
A recent statement in Washington Post, said the
New Administration (old GW) has a list of issues.
BSE is one of the issues.
BSE Risk is still low, minimal in U.S. with a greater
interest in MBM not to enter U.S.
HOWEVER, if BSE were to enter the U.S.
it would be economically disastrous
to the render, feed, cattle, industries,
and for human health.
(human health-they just threw that in cause i was listening. I will now
jot down some figures in
which they told you, 'no need to write them down'.
just hope i have them correct. hmmm, maybe i hope
i don't ???)
80% inspection of rendering
*Problem-Complete coverage of rendering HAS NOT
occurred.
sizeable number of 1st time FAILED INITIAL INSPECTION,
have not been reinspected (70% to 80%).
Compliance critical, Compliance poor in U.K.
and other European Firms.
Gloria Dunason
Major Assignment 1998 goal TOTAL compliance.
This _did not_ occur. Mixed level of compliance,
depending on firm.
Rendering FDA license and NON FDA license
system in place for home rendering & feed
76% in compliance
79% cross contamination
21% DID NOT have system
92% record keeping
less than 60% total compliance
279 inspectors
185 handling prohibited materials
Renderer at top of pyramid, significant
part of compliance.
84% compliance
failed to have caution statement render
72% compliance & cross contamination
caution statement on feed, 'DO NOT FEED TO CATTLE'
56 FIRMS NEVER INSPECTED
1240 FDA license feed mills
846 inspected
"close to 400 feed mills have not been inspected"
80% compliance for feed.
10% don't have system.
NON-FDA licensed mills
There is NO inventory on non licensed mills.
approximately 6000 to 8000 Firms ???
4,344 ever inspected.
"FDA does not have a lot of experience with"
40% do NOT have caution statement 'DO NOT FEED'.
74% Commingling compliance
"This industry needs a lot of work and only half
gotten to"
"700 Firms that were falitive, and need to be
re-inspected, in addition to the 8,000 Firms."
Quote to do BSE inspection in 19 states by end
of January or 30 days, and other states 60 days.
to change feed status??? Contract check and ask
questions and pass info.
At this time, we will take questions.
[I was about the third or fourth to ask question.
then all B.S.eee broke loose, and i lost my train
of thought for a few minutes. picked back up here]
someone asking about nutritional supplements and
sourcing, did not get name. something about inspectors
not knowing of BSE risk??? the conference person assuring that Steve
Follum? and the TSE advisory Committee were
handling that.
Some other Dr. Vet, whom were asking questions
that did not know what to do???
[Dennis Wilson]
California Food Agr.
Imports, are they looking at imports?
[Conference person]
they are looking at imports,
FDA issued imports Bulletin.
[Linda Singeltary ??? this was a another phone in
question, not related i don't think]
Why do we have non-licensed facilities?
(conference person)
other feed mills do not handle as potent drugs???
Dennis Blank, Ken Jackson
licensed 400
non FDA 4400 inspected of a total of 6000 to 8000,
(they really don't know how many non licensed Firms
in U.S. they guess 6000 to 8000??? TSS)
Linda Detwiler
asking everyone (me) not to use emergency BSE number,
unless last resort.
(i thought of calling them today, and reporting the
whole damn U.S. cattle herd ;-) 'not'
Warren-Maryland Dept. Agr.
Prudent to re-inspect after 3 years.
concerned of Firms that have changed
owners.
THE END
TSS
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