"Kristin A. Ruhle" schreef:
> Those of you outside the US - I actually envy European meat, once they do
> something about the mad cow problem. The standards are STRICTER than
> here. It is American slaughterhouses that are much more horrible. Also the
> potentila for mad cow is with us although they did ban feeding runinant
> parts to other ruminants, they can feed pig parts to cows and pigs can get
> it. Didn't the UK adopt a stricter rule than that?
I guess you haven't heard about what has been going on around here. A rather
harmless, but very contagious desease is turning our meat and milk industry
upside down. Bankrupting farmers and businesses.
To keep prices up and (foreign) markets open to EU cattle, any animal being
diagnosed as _possibly_ infected, or any cattle near an area of _possibly_
infected animals with foot and mouth desease have to be killed instantly. In a
1 km radious around this possible infection sources, every stable has to be
cleared of cows, pigs, sheep and goats. No exceptions are made, not even for
pet animals or very rare zoo specimens.
You know what I find most disgusting? It is fairly simple to vaccinate against
this rather harmless disease. The disease isn't deadly, it doesn't pose any
threat to other species or humans. It even is harmless to consume meat of
animals recoverd from the infection. BUT.... especially the US and Japan would
close import to any cattle from the entire EU if only one animal in only one
of the EU countries wouldn't be slaughtered and destroyed after having been
vaccinated. Rather tasteless don't you think.
Hundredthousends of cows, pigs, goats and sheep die, their bodies being
destroyed (burned), because the EU wants to keep their status as being a foot
and mouth disease free zone. Vaccination would ruin their reputation. And we
can't have that now can we. Better to destroy hundredthousands of cattle to
keep open those export markets.
As long as the price is right .... yeah right.
Sonja
