Topic: Animal Disease Testing
TB testing is as follows: http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/animal_health/cattle_tb/2003_TB.pdf
1:TB Testing: Owner schedule herd testing with your local State Vet
2:The veterinarian will inject the cattle with tuberculin in the animal's caudal fold area, a fold of skin under the tail head,
3:After 72, the veterinarian will returns to 'READ" the test by manually examining the injection site for a reaction, such as thickening of the skin
4:Cattle that exhibit a response will have a USDA ear tag applied
5: State and federal rules restrict the movement of cattle from the farm and ranch until all testing is completed and the disease status of the herd is resolved. (there are provisions follow test-negative culls cows to be moved to a slaughter plant during this time)
6:The veterinarian, will report the test to the USDA regulatory veterinarian (state Vet) who will conduct a second test called a "comparative cervical" on the animal within 7 days.
7:Two antigens will be injected into the skin on the animals neck.
8:72 hours later the two injection sites will be examined and depending on the test response the animal may be classified as negative, suspect or reactor ....
EIA
Let it be known for diseases that are tested and the reactors are positive or negative they ARE AUTOMATICALLY reported to the STATE VET.
EIA-Coggins: State, university and private labs, all NVSL-approved, are required to report the reactors (positive test results) within 24 hours to the State Veterinarian. Negative test results are also reported. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_diseases/eia/web-mapping.shtml
Reporting of animal health is thus complete... No need for NAIS
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy-BSE Testing-unless the Cow is classified as a downer or if it shows signs of central nervous disorder then testing will be issued.
Testing can only be completed on a dead cows not live.The US closed the border to Canadian cattle from over 30 months in 2003. Alberta Agriculture Minister Shirley McCellan said she did not know when the borders would reopen and called on the US government to resist closing it again if more cases of BSE are found. " We must assure countries cannot use an incident like this as a trade barrier, that decisions are really based on sound science." end quote
Testing of all cattle is a necessity due to the fact it appears to be an INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM. This has to be the only statement I have ever seen that has ever made sense: As long as the production of humanity’s food is governed by the drive to maximize profit, preventable diseases like vCJD quickly escalate into public health disasters. http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/aug2004/bse-a02.shtml Testing should be completed at time of slaughter and the meat held until results are read. No more trade barriers would be issued, consumer confidence would gain and no threat of a public health disaster.
Posted by xstatic99645
at 12:56 PM YST
Updated: Monday, 12 January 2009 1:01 PM YST
