News Update

News Update
Jan. 10, 2006

U.S., South Korea Continue Beef Talks

After two days of negotiations — and little progress — officials from the United States and South Korea have agreed to extend talks regarding the resumption of U.S. beef imports.

According to The Korea Times, the two sides, which have been meeting in Seoul since Monday, failed to reach an agreement today due to “technical matters” related to importation of bone-in products, such as ribs.

South Korea is reportedly refusing to allow such products to be imported; however, the limit would rule out beef ribs, which accounted for 57% of pre-ban beef shipments from the U.S.

Government officials plan to reconvene talks on Thursday and Friday, the article noted. Talks were originally slated to end today.

McDonald’s Criticizes Feed Ban

Seven scientists and specialists from McDonald’s Corp. and a pharmaceutical supplier have submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) criticizing the agency’s feed ban rule designed to eliminate the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

According to the Brownfield Network, the researchers argue that FDA fails to fully protect animals and people from BSE or variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease since cattle can still be exposed to potentially infected feeds. The fast-food giant suggests stronger steps be taken to reduce the risk of disease exposure.

Aflatoxin Spurs Pet Food Recall

A potentially dangerous toxin that sometimes affects livestock feed has hit the pet food market.

According to CBS News, dog food manufactured by Diamond Pet Food’s Gaston, S.C., facility has been recalled due to aflatoxin contamination. The fungus, which most commonly occurs on grains — such as corn, peanuts and cottonseed — can cause acute toxicological effects such as liver damage.

To learn more about the recall, visit www.diamondpetrecall.net.

— by Crystal Albers, Angus Productions Inc.