A group of U.S. Senators sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service urging finalization to a comprehensive rule for BSE.
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National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Associate Director of Legislative Affairs Kent Bacus said cattlemen appreciate the letter because having a comprehensive BSE rule in place will show the United States is willing to talk the talk and walk the walk with regard to following OIE standards.
“The United States should not continue demanding our trading partners to follow OIE standards when we are not here at home. The comprehensive BSE rule will change that and will solidify the United States’ commitment to basing our trade relationships on internationally-recognized, science-based standards,” Bacus said. “This rule has been a long time coming, and we stand ready to work with members of Congress and the administration to finalize this rule because it will give trade negotiators from the United States a stronger position to press other nations to follow OIE standards.