Prions Seminar Illustrates That Science Is Winning BSE Debate

Japan

Prions Seminar Illustrates That Science Is Winning BSE Debate

Yesterday (Dec. 16), Japan’s National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH) and a science group from Tohoku  University organized a seminar entitled “Prions — Still as Frightening?” As the Japanese government moves toward elimination of blanket BSE testing of all cattle by July 2008, this seminar, providing information and facts from a range of experts and interested groups, indicates that acceptance and understanding of the science behind BSE is increasing in Japan.

In the past many of the participating groups demonstrated varying degrees of understanding of BSE and were often not in agreement. Yesterday’s seminar demonstrated a surprisingly high level of understanding about the science behind BSE among all participants, including the leading consumer group, which in the past tended to focus more on emotional concerns.

The panel included a leading journalist, representatives from Japan’s ministries of agriculture and health, an Animal Scientist from NIAH, several university experts on CJD and a representative of the Japanese consumer federation. The journalist began the discussion by saying that increased information and knowledge among consumers has gradually reduced popular concern about BSE and now is the time for the government to discuss the high costs of risk prevention compared to the actual risk of the disease. Her presentation included the true risk to the Japanese population of anyone being affected by BSE compared to other health risks, and the impact of mandatory testing of all cattle for BSE and the limits on imports on the Japanese economy. Much of this research had been commissioned and distributed by USMEF to key media and other opinion leaders over the last year.

Even the consumer federation representative accepted that the Japanese government’s measures, along with USDA’s BEV program and technical talks between the United States have reduced the risks associated with BSE in Japan from domestic and imported sources. She stressed the need for open and frequent dissemination of information to eliminate consumer concerns about the safety of U.S. beef. In the past, the group had opposed increasing the age limit imposed on U.S. imports, but it now favors an open discussion about increasing it to 30 months, according to its representative, an age limit the consumer federation may support.

The government officials at the seminar provided evidence supporting Japan’s plans to discontinue BSE blanket testing of the domestic herd. They cited the decline in BSE occurrences in Japan and the high level of feed-ban compliance as reasons to end 100-percent testing.

Japan

Prions Seminar Illustrates That Science Is Winning BSE Debate

Yesterday (Dec. 16), Japan’s National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH) and a science group from Tohoku  University organized a seminar entitled “Prions — Still as Frightening?” As the Japanese government moves toward elimination of blanket BSE testing of all cattle by July 2008, this seminar, providing information and facts from a range of experts and interested groups, indicates that acceptance and understanding of the science behind BSE is increasing in Japan.

In the past many of the participating groups demonstrated varying degrees of understanding of BSE and were often not in agreement. Yesterday’s seminar demonstrated a surprisingly high level of understanding about the science behind BSE among all participants, including the leading consumer group, which in the past tended to focus more on emotional concerns.

The panel included a leading journalist, representatives from Japan’s ministries of agriculture and health, an Animal Scientist from NIAH, several university experts on CJD and a representative of the Japanese consumer federation. The journalist began the discussion by saying that increased information and knowledge among consumers has gradually reduced popular concern about BSE and now is the time for the government to discuss the high costs of risk prevention compared to the actual risk of the disease. Her presentation included the true risk to the Japanese population of anyone being affected by BSE compared to other health risks, and the impact of mandatory testing of all cattle for BSE and the limits on imports on the Japanese economy. Much of this research had been commissioned and distributed by USMEF to key media and other opinion leaders over the last year.

Even the consumer federation representative accepted that the Japanese government’s measures, along with USDA’s BEV program and technical talks between the United States have reduced the risks associated with BSE in Japan from domestic and imported sources. She stressed the need for open and frequent dissemination of information to eliminate consumer concerns about the safety of U.S. beef. In the past, the group had opposed increasing the age limit imposed on U.S. imports, but it now favors an open discussion about increasing it to 30 months, according to its representative, an age limit the consumer federation may support.

The government officials at the seminar provided evidence supporting Japan’s plans to discontinue BSE blanket testing of the domestic herd. They cited the decline in BSE occurrences in Japan and the high level of feed-ban compliance as reasons to end 100-percent testing.