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BSE ("Mad Cow Disease"): A Brief Overview
Publication Date: December 2006
Publisher(s): Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Series: RS22345
Topic: Agriculture, forestry and fishing (Livestock, meat, and animal products industry)
Health (Diseases and disorders)
Abstract:
The appearance of BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy or "mad cow disease") in North America in 2003 raised meat safety concerns and disrupted trade for cattle and beef producers. A major issue for Congress has been how to rebuild foreign markets for U.S. beef. Other issues include whether additional measures are needed to further protect the public and cattle herd, and concerns over the relative costs and benefits of such measures for consumers, taxpayers and industry. This report will not be updated.