It is customary for countries report animal disease outbreaks, like BSE, to the World Organization for Health (OIE) within 24 hours. However, Brazil’s two recently reported cases of atypical BSE were flagged months ago. NCBA Vice President for Government Affairs Ethan Lane says its vital that countries report these cases to OIE as soon as possible. “Brazil has a demonstrated history now over the course of at least ten years of not just being days late, but weeks late or months late or in some cases several years late in reporting. These last 2 cases were reported on September 4th, those are cases that actually flagged back in January.” NCBA and other groups are asking Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to suspend fresh beef imports from Brazil.
