Tell the USDA: keep our food supply safe!

August 4, 2005

If you're like me, you believe that everyone has the right to enjoy a balanced

and healthy diet. What's more, you expect the government to act in in the best

interests of its citizens and ensure that the food supply remains safe. That's

why the latest news on U.S. beef is so troubling.

In June, the USDA confirmed that a cow born and bred in the U.S. had tested

positive for mad cow disease. This was the second confirmed case in the U.S.

herd. But it gets worse - even though the animal was suspected of having mad cow

disease last November, the USDA failed to use the most reliable tests to

diagnose the disease for seven months!

We need swift and decisive action from federal regulators to ensure that the

U.S. beef supply remains safe. And yet, the USDA currently tests just one

percent of all cattle slaughtered each year. Even worse, since their testing

program is so secretive, the public has no way of knowing whether they are

targeting high-risk or low-risk animals, or if their methods are even based on

sound science.

That's why Care2 is working with Consumers Union to recommend that the USDA test

all cattle over 20 months of age for mad cow disease and disclose details about

its testing program.

Please urge the USDA to improve transparency and take immediate steps to keep

U.S. beef safe!

NO MATTER HOW IMPOSSIBLE IT ALL MAY SEEM;

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A DREAM.

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