Mad-cow testing problems: Untested meat sold

(January 7, 2004 - germnews.de)

Mainz/Berlin. Beef that has not been tested for mad-cow disease (BSE) has apparently reached the market in Germany. Rhineland-Palatinate's Environment Ministry has confirmed that the number of slaughtered cattle does not correspond to the number of BSE tests conducted. In Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, 76 cattle were not tested for BSE last year. Reports from Saarland state that more than 10,000 cases of irregularities have been found across the country. The German Farmers' Association has criticized the omissions. Association spokesman Michael Lohse said that consumers must be able to count on a complete examination of all of the beef being sold. In response to the news, the federal Consumer Protection Ministry gave the states a deadline of this evening to evaluate all of the data on cattle slaughters. Secretary of State for the Ministry, Alexander Mueller, said that, wherever possible, suspect meat must be recalled. He estimated that the meat from several hundred cattle could have reached market untested. The results of all BSE tests conducted in Germany must be submitted to a central database.