Court says no to private testing for mad cow
August 30, 2008
Sometimes I think we live in an alternate reality. The U.S. Court of Appeals (District of Columbia Circuit) has now overturned a lower court ruling that allowed Creekstone Farms Premium Beef to conduct its own tests for mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE). Imagine! Creekstone wanted to demonstrate that its beef was free of BSE so it could be sold in Asia. But that would imply that other meat was not safe and force other companies to test as well. Apparently, the USDA does not think that would be fair and the Appeals Court agrees. What about fairness to beef eaters? About that, the court had nothing to say.
heartbreaking!
Comment by darya — August 30, 2008 @ 8:46 pm
[…] Taytons Blog wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt Sometimes I think we live in an alternate reality. The U.S. Court of Appeals (District of Columbia Circuit) has now overturned a lower court ruling that allowed Creekstone Farms Premium Beef to conduct its own tests for mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE). Imagine! Creekstone wanted to demonstrate that its beef was free of BSE so it could be sold in Asia. But that would imply that other meat was not safe and force other companies to test as well. Apparently, the USDA […]
Pingback by Chemical Engineering » Blog Archive » Court says no to private testing for mad cow — August 30, 2008 @ 9:09 pm
Makes me think we might be better off without the USDA. I trust the competing voices of organizations and blogs like yours, Marion, more than I trust the government’s monopoly on “certification”.
Comment by Richard — August 31, 2008 @ 10:35 am
Unbelievable. A company wants to go an extra step to verify the safety of their food product, and the government works to stop them?!!! Who is minding the store here? Have they forgotten who pays the taxes that fund their salaries? How is it “unfair” business practice to demonstrate the safety of your product? So what if it leaves other companies having to step up to the plate…maybe we need to allow a little competition of this sort. I am tired of being afraid to eat commercially prepared meats. I am tired of every week seems to bring another news story of people made ill by their food. A little extra vigilence toward safety would be a good thing, in the opinion of this consumer.
Comment by Sheila — August 31, 2008 @ 12:28 pm
[…] “If we let one farm pay to have their cows tested for BSE, then that implies cows from other farms might have the disease, so better not to let anyone do any testing, even if there’s a risk.” Yet again, the logic of the USDA puts consumers at risk. […]
Pingback by Taste T.O. - Food & Drink In Toronto » Food For Thought - Monday, September 1st — September 1, 2008 @ 4:14 pm
Bad decision: Bad for business; bad for the market
It is ironic that these judges think they are helping buainess. The judge is standing in the way of the individual producer to make a positive transaction and open new markets. Indeed, good information promotes the conduct of business and the market as a whole.
Comment by Shari L. — September 2, 2008 @ 4:39 am
If that doesn’t smell of industry influence on USDA/gov’t, I don’t know what would.
The Courts/USDA are taking away a market and hindering a business to succeed by banning Creek Stone Farms from doing QUALITY CONTROL.
APPEAL!
Comment by Daniel Ithaca,NY — September 3, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
[…] Court says no to private testing for mad cow […]
Pingback by A: Here’s where I get a little political :) « Care to Eat — September 3, 2008 @ 11:10 pm
[…] | user-saved public links | iLinkShare 3 votesCourt says no to private testing for mad cow>> saved by jacthebear 2 days ago1 votesEat, Shop, Kayak, Explore, Stay in Port Clyde Maine>> saved […]
Pingback by User links about "eat" on iLinkShare — October 8, 2008 @ 2:34 pm