Mad Cow Disease and Pet Food

[Currmudgeon]

I've moved the original thread because of an off-topic policical message. Unfortunatly, this software does not allow us to just move a single mesage.

Because of the timelines of the topic, I have copied back the original mesages.

Please, let's keep this non political.

- Dennis
Administrator


« Thread started on: Today at 07:03am »

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Found this article on my MSNBC news this morning:

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3846999/

Question: has any of this caused you to change your eating habits?
Even though the "experts" deem it safe, I haven't eaten beef for a week or two now.
64.70.24.58

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Re: Mad Cow Disease and Pet Food
« Reply #1 on: Today at 11:59am »

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Laurie

Here is another report that I've known about for years this is WHY we switched to raw....
www.api4animals.org/Petfood.htm

As for us no we're still eating beef but I know its not from dairy cows and from a local meat market not from a super market.
12.154.199.166

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Mary
TeMar Shepherds
Home of the 2002 Canadian Siegerin

[Currmudgeon]

From what I have seen, Mad Cow, or BSE, takes a long time to manifest itself in humans. No one knows if canines are susceptible, or how long a canine version takes to manifest itself. But the relatively short lifespan of canines indicates that they are at a lesser risk.

Just to put the two US/Canadian incidents in perspective, the British outbreak involved some 200,000 infected animals with the consequent exposure of perhaps millions of humans. There were something like 100 cases of the disease in humans. I don't know what the casualty rate is from other contaminants, like coliform bacteria or salmonella, but those organisms also take a toll.

At this time, the statistical risk appears insignificant.

I think we will see new testing protocols reqired for beef, both in North America and in Europe. And I suspect that South America and Oz will have to get into the act as well.

[Currmudgeon]

Mad cow scare hits sled dog race
From correspondents in Fairbanks, Alaska
January 3, 2004

AMERICAN beef, pork and chicken products destined for dogs in an international sled-dog race will not be allowed across the border because of fears about mad cow disease.

Organisers of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race this week notified mushers that Canada would not allow dog food containing the meat products to cross the border because of health concerns.

The notice came as many mushers were working to meet a January 23 deadline for having food ready to be delivered to drop points along the 1600km course from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Whitehorse, Yukon.

Race organisers learned about the restrictions on dog food on Monday and began calling mushers to inform them they might need to change their feeding plans, said Jonni Roos, the assistant race director.

Several countries banned US beef following the discovery of a case of mad cow disease in a Washington state cow.

Canada also temporarily suspended importation of US pork and bird-based products.

Quest mushers are now working out how to prepare for the race, which starts in Fairbanks on February 14. A ban on beef, chicken or pork, "means there's pretty much nothing left", said Fairbanks musher Eric Nicolier.

Some mushers may have to buy dog food for the Canada drop points across the border.

"Man, that's crazy," said Nicolier. "We wouldn't make much difference with the mad cow situation - everything is staying frozen and it's just going to be fed to the dogs."

The Associated Press


www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8311391%255E1702,00.html