News Releases for December 2003
December 24, 2003
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Hoeven: USDA Assures Public Food Supply Is Safe
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today said that he has been assured by the White House and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that everything is being done to contain any potential contamination and keep the nation’s food supply safe in response to a presumed positive case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) at a dairy farm in Washington State. Hoeven urged North Dakotans to remain calm and confident in the process currently underway by federal and state authorities.
“The USDA assures us that the food supply is safe and that the likelihood of contamination is very low,” Hoeven said. “I am confident in our beef supply, and my family and I will continue to eat it.
“BSE is found in the brain and nerve tissue of an infected animal, and in this particular case, the suspected tissue was removed and did not enter the food supply,” Hoeven said. “The farm has been quarantined and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working closely with USDA to recall about 10,000 pounds of beef that may have been exposed to the infectious agent.
“USDA has not advised states to restrict the movement of animals, so at this point, we are not doing so,” Hoeven said. “We are staying in close contact with USDA and the FDA and will determine if any such action is needed. We will continue to stay on top of this situation and work with the necessary federal and state agencies to ensure that everything is being done to keep our food supply safe and our livestock industry minimally impacted.”
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