Actions to Strengthen BSE Safeguards

July 16, 2004 -- Late last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced three actions being taken to further strengthen existing safeguards that protect consumers against the agent that causes bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

The three documents include:

• a notice that asks for public comment on additional preventive actions that are being considered concerning BSE [Federal Register];
• an interim final rule that prohibits the use of certain cattle-derived materials in human food and cosmetics [Federal Register] ; and
• a proposed rule on recordkeeping requirements for the interim final rule relating to this ban [Federal Register].

?The series of firewalls already in place offer excellent protection against BSE. With these additional measures, we will make a strong system even stronger by putting into effect the most comprehensive, science-based improvements possible,? said Acting Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Lester M. Crawford.

Comments should be submitted as directed in the links supplied above for each of the documents.

Staff contact: Paul Rodgers, 303-771-3500

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