Twenty years ago, BSE was confirmed in the United States. It was described as the cow that stole Christmas. Exports were shut down and consumer confidence in beef suffered, sending cattle prices lower. USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Administrator Kevin Shea says safeguards are now in place to minimize the risk. “In the 1980’s there were as many as 30,000 cases per year around the world. Now, there are fewer than ten around the world.”
