The U.S. Department of Agriculture is lifting its temporary hold on imports of processed beef and associated products from Brazil. The decision was made following a site visit to Brazil by animal health officials, who were able to review and analyze requested data to complete a bovine spongiform encephalopathy risk assessment. Upon reviewing this data, USDA was assured that Brazil has taken sound measures to prevent BSE and that the suspension on imports should be lifted. USDA, along with appropriate federal health agencies, determined that there is no risk of BSE introduction associated with the import of Brazilian beef and beef products under the above conditions. There is no evidence of BSE in Brazil.
Imports are to resume immediately.
Materials found in the pine tips or new pine growth contain toxins that cause severe kidney damage and paralysis in cattle. Pine needle abortion occurs primarily in the western parts of Canada and the United States. Problem areas include the Black Hills of South Dakota, northeast Wyoming, eastern Montana, northern Idaho, parts of Arizona and New Mexico and parts of Oregon and Washington. Researchers are srtudying why some cattle have a fondness for pine needles, while others don't. The tendency to eat needles increases in the winter, when snow on the ground covers forage and extreme cold stresses cows.