BSE, Italy, January 2001

(Short Report)

Contained herein is a brief summary of the newly reported outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Italy. There are no plans to distribute a complete impact worksheet about this outbreak of BSE.

Summary: 

The Italian Ministry of Public Health reported to the OIE on January 17, 2001 the discovery of the first case of BSE in a native-born cow from Italy. The preliminary diagnosis of January 12, 2001 was confirmed on January 16, 2001. The affected animal was slaughtered, and the dairy farm of origin was “. . . placed under restrictions . . . “. 

Italy has less than 0.5% (one-half of one percent) of the world’s cattle stocks. Italy’s 1999 live cattle exports were only 1.2% of the world’s cattle exports. More than 70% of Italy’s exports of 140,000 metric tons of beef and beef products were sent to other countries in the European Union (EU). Russia received 17,000 metric tons as part of the EU food aid programs.

In December 1997, the USDA enacted regulations that prohibit the importation of live ruminants and ruminant meat from members of the EU, including Italy. These import restrictions also were applicable to bone meal, blood meal, meat meal, offal, fat, glands, and serum from ruminants. The U.S. imported no live ruminants from Italy during years 1999 and 2000. Imports of a variety of miscellaneous animal products were reported during 1999 and 2000. For many of these miscellaneous animal products the species of origin is not specified but, in keeping with current U.S. import restrictions, these products probably are not of bovine origin.

If you have questions, you may contact Reginald Johnson at 970-490-7896 or Miloslav Muller at 970-490-7844.

Sources:

1. Promed-ahead-edr., January 14, 2001.
2. Office International Des Epizooties, Disease Information 14(3), January 19, 2001.
2. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), FAOSTAT Database.
3. World Trade Atlas, U.S. Edition, 2000.
4. Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Attache Reports, GAIN Report #IT0026.