Animal Proteins Banned from Import

December 22, 2000

USDA has banned imports of rendered animal protein products, regardless of species, from Europe. This decision followed the recent determination by the European Union that feed of non-ruminant origin was potentially cross-contaminated with the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) agent.

The restriction applies to products originating, rendered, processed or otherwise associated with European products. USDA is taking this emergency action to prevent potentially cross-contaminated products entering the United States. The same type of rendered product from ruminant origin has been prohibited from BSE infected countries since 1989 and all of Europe since 1997.

Although no case of BSE has been diagnosed in this country, USDA officials say they continue to take "aggressive measures" to protect the United States from BSE introduction and to ensure the security of U.S. export markets. These measures include active surveillance, testing, prevention, education, and emergency preparation. Since 1989, the United States has banned the import of live ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats) and most ruminant products from countries where BSE has been reported.

In 1998, USDA entered into a cooperative agreement with Harvard University's School of Public Health to analyze and evaluate the department's efforts to prevent BSE. A report is expected to be issued early next year.