Expanded BSE Testing Initiated

June 4, 2004 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday began its expanded testing program for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, with the goal of testing between 200,000 and 260,000 cattle for the disease over the next 18 months.

According to Meatingplace.com and the Associated Press, officials reported no problems handling the increased load of samples that came in to the newly approved regional testing laboratories.

The expanded testing program was announced in March and replaced an initial increase in testing announced in January that would have doubled the number of animals tested to 40,000 from 20,000 the year before.

Staff contact: Paul Rodgers, 303-771-3500

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