Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["TradingPostPaul" <tradingpost@riseup.net>]

MAD COWS AND CRAZED BUREAUCRATS
Despite mounting public pressure for universal testing for Mad Cow disease,
USDA Secretary Mike Johanns has announced a 90% cut back on testing cattle
at slaughter. Two cases of Mad Cow disease have been discovered in the U.S.
in the last year, likely meaning that other undiscovered cases have entered
the food supply. In Japan, 100% of cows age 24 months and older are tested
for the fatal brain-wasting disease before slaughter. In contrast, the U.S.
currently tests less than 1% of the 35 million cattle slaughtered annually.
The USDA is now claiming that testing 1% of all cattle is "unnecessary" and
"too expensive." Dr. Michael Hansen, an expert on Mad Cow disease at
Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports, described the latest
USDA move as "playing Russian roulette with public health."
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_1207.cfm

In related news, a Kansas-based meatpacking company, Creekstone Farms
Premium Beef, filed for summary judgment in its lawsuit against the USDA
last week. The USDA claims Creekstone does not have the right to
voluntarily test all of its beef for the brain-wasting disease. In
response, Creekstone filed a lawsuit against the USDA, saying the company
has the right to test all of its meat for Mad Cow disease and that there
are no federal laws saying you can't go above and beyond government
regulations for food safety. The USDA has until Aug. 25 to respond to
Creekstone's filing.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_1110.cfm