Letter from Florence Kranitz about BSE testing cutback

Dear CJD Foundation Families and Friends:

I hope you are all having a good summer. We, in Ohio, are enjoying beautiful weather, for a change, and hope the sunshine we are experiencing is entering your lives as well.

Many of you (144 to be exact) attended the CJD Foundation’s Fourth Annual Family Conference. Judging by the response of those attending and from the evaluations we have received so far, this was our most successful conference yet.

Right after the Conference on July 10, Ruthie George, Dr. Gambetti, Chris Waldrop from the Consumer Federation of America, Ken Kelly from the Center for Science in the Public Interest and I met with the Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns, his Under Secretary, Dr. Richard Raymond and his Chief Legislative Aide, Beth Johnson. The meeting lasted about 35 minutes. We presented a letter outlining 3 requests, one of which was to test every cow over 30 months of age, to conduct random testing on cows under 20 months and test all animals exhibiting neurological symptoms The USDA representatives were all very attentive. Secretary Johanns indicated that they were considering cutting the BSE testing back from 750,000 to 40,000 head of cattle per year and as the meeting ended we expressed our strong objections to the possible BSE testing cuts.

As most of you know, those cuts were announced last Thursday, July 20. From the upgraded number of 750,000 over the last 18 months (less that .01% of the number of cattle slaughtered for our food supply) to 40,000 per year. The Administration has decided that the cost of continued upgraded testing is not “scientifically justified”.

Needless to say, this decision appears to be based purely on economics. I submitted an Op Ed piece to the Washington Post yesterday. If it isn’t published by Friday, I’ll revise it and send it out as a press release and will also send a copy to you.

In the meantime I am asking all of you to get involved. Unless we, as a group speak loudly, publicly and take action our government will never know there are Americans who are outraged by this decision. We have no vested interest and therefore we must be the group leading the charge.

Those of you who made Capitol Hill visits should call the staff person you met with in each office and register your deep concerns and disappointment, ASAP! Ask where the member stands on this issue and if he/she would be willing to call the USDA, APHIS (Animal Plant Health Inspection Services) and/or FSIS (Food Safety Inspection Services) and the Government Accountability Office to object to this policy change. Follow your call with an email. Please remember, I am only one person but I have the ability, the right and the obligation to strongly and publicly object. I ask you to please do the same.

Thank you.

My best,

Florence

Florence Kranitz,
President
The CJD Foundation