The Department of Agriculture on Wednesday announced the issue of a precautionary ban on the importation of all “risk materials” from the United States after a case of mad cow disease was reported in the US.
The US Department of Agriculture announced on Tuesday that it diagnosed a “presumptive” positive case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease, in an adult Holstein cow in Washington. The news was being verified with the US authorities.
Samples were taken as part of a targeted surveillance programme and positive results were obtained on Tuesday, the South African Department of Agriculture said.
All beef and beef products for sale in South Africa are considered absolutely safe for human consumption, the department said.
“We would like to assure consumers that we are confident about the safety of our beef and beef products, and that we will continue to monitor the situation. Consumer safety in South Africa is guaranteed by an ongoing intensive surveillance programme and a complete ban on the feeding of any risk products to cattle and other animals that may be susceptible to BSE.” — Sapa
Mad cow disease strikes US
US beef banned across Asia