WASHINGTON, D.C. — After years of federal red tape, the USDA Animal Health and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) recently proposed new regulations to update import rules for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as Mad Cow disease, unlocking numerous global trade barriers for U.S. beef.

Now published in the Federal Register, the proposed BSE regulations will be open for public comment within 60 days of its publication date. To view the new, comprehensive rule or to submit a comment, visit www.aphis.usda.gov

“This proposal is an important step forward in our efforts to bring our import regulations in line with science-based, international animal health standards,” said Dr. John Clifford, APHIS deputy administrator and chief veterinary Officer.

“The proposal will help ensure we continue to provide strong protections against BSE, continue to make science-based decisions, and fully support safe trade in bovine commodities. As we continue to protect the health of the U.S. cattle industry, this proposal will also assist us in future negotiations to reopen important trade markets that remain closed to U.S. beef.”

In addition to the current safeguards in place for animal and public health, the updated rules would also adopt the same criteria and categories that the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) uses to identify a country’s BSE-risk status including negligible, controlled and undetermined risk.

APHIS would base its import policy for a particular country on that country’s risk classification as determined by OIE’s risk evaluation. The rule would also allow APHIS to conduct its own assessment when deemed necessary. All countries would be considered by APHIS to have an undetermined BSE risk unless officially recognized as either negligible or controlled risk, according to Clifford.

The OIE determines a country’s risk status based on actions the country has taken to manage the risk of the disease. These actions include instituting a strong ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban, strictly controlling imports of animals and animal products from countries of undetermined risk, and conducting appropriate surveillance. The OIE Code, which is based on the latest science and knowledge about BSE, provides guidelines for the safe trade of animals and products based on the country’s risk status and the risk presented by the specific item being traded.

“NCBA has been pushing for this rule since the first case of BSE was detected in the United States in December 2003,” said Kent Bacus, National Cattlemen’s Beef Assoc. legislative affairs director. “This has been a long time coming, and we certainly welcome USDA’s announcement. Quite simply, this proposed rule will show the United States is willing to talk the talk and walk the walk with regard to following international standards developed by the World Organization for Animal Health.

According to Bacus, non-tariff trade barriers hinder the United States’ ability to expand U.S. beef exports with its global trading partners.

“Cattlemen need our trade negotiators to eliminate these barriers by requiring our global trading partners to make science-based decisions regarding U.S. beef,” he added. “Along those lines, it is also important for the U.S. government to take all necessary steps to properly address risk related to BSE by adopting this proposed comprehensive rule.”

“It is very difficult for the United States to demand our trading partners follow OIE standards when we are not here at home. The comprehensive BSE rule will change that and will solidify the United States’ commitment to basing our trade relationships on internationally recognized, science-based standards. We stand ready to work with members of Congress and the administration to finalize this rule.”

Also applauding the USDA’s efforts, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry pointed to Mexico as a prime example of where non-science based standards have significantly limited U.S. producers’ ability to sell beef. She noted that since 2004 Mexico hasn’t allowed the importation of U.S. cattle that are over 30 months of age. Mexico has traditionally been one of the top export markets for U.S. beef, however, due to the 30 month age restriction it’s estimated U.S. beef producers are losing $100 million annually.

“Boosting agriculture exports is a critical way to fuel America’s economic recovery,” said Stabenow. “Today’s action will help break down other countries’ unfounded trade barriers and ensure American beef producers can operate on a more level playing field.”

The proposed rule would not alter any other safeguards in place for animal and public health from a BSE outbreak. Current BSE safeguards for animal health include the FDA’s ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban and a robust BSE surveillance program. Human health remains safely-protected by measures that ensure the safety of U.S. beef, the most important of which is the ban on animal materials that have been shown to carry the BSE agent (known as specified risk materials) from the food supply.

For more information or to comment on the proposed import regulations within 60 days, visit www.aphis.usda.gov