DLNR pooh-poohs mad cow scare

Despite rising concerns on the spread of mad cow disease to other European countries, the Northern Marianas will continuously import meat and dairy products from Australia and New Zealand.

In fact, more than 15 percent of meat products coming into the CNMI are from the two South Pacific countries while more than 70 percent are locally produced and imported from the mainland US.

Government veterinarian Dr. Ignacio Dela Cruz said while there are concerns on the spread of the mad cow cases to several European nations, Australia and New Zealand’s cattle remain disease-free.

He noted that stricter measures were put in place by the US Department of Agriculture to ensure meat exporting countries are certified free from contamination.

Once an alert is issued by the USDA, the Commonwealth will immediately stop all shipments coming from Australia and New Zealand and ban the entry of meats and dairy products until the problem is over, Dr. Dela Cruz said.

The veterinarian also disclosed that aside from New Zealand and Australia, some of the imported products from Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Philippines contain ingredient like meat. But these products are properly examined and pass the evaluation.

“There is nothing to worry about, the USDA has accepted Australia and New Zealand products, they were detected safe and they don’t carry bacteria that causes the scrapie disease,” he added.

Other than these countries, the Commonwealth has implemented a stricter measure on the importation of meats especially in areas where a processing plant approved by the USDA meat inspection section is absent.

Earlier, the Department of Land and Natural Resources effected stricter quarantine procedures on imported meat products amid concerns on mad cow disease.

Quarantine officers stationed at various ports were placed on alert to be on the look out for possible entry of contaminated meats.

Reports claimed Australian farmers expressed concerns on the effects of mad cow disease to several beef producers even their herds are disease-free.

Due to the increasing number of contamination cases, Asian countries import very little beef from Europe.

Most Asian nations get their beef from Australia, New Zealand, US, and India as beef sales tumbled 27 percent across the European countries in three months.

As a result of the mad cow disease, chicken sales have skyrocketed, while beef sales have dropped as much as 80 percent. Production has dropped from 6,000 tons a year to negligible amounts and at least 62 full-time workers and 30 part-time workers are likely to lose their jobs.