Mad Cow disease in US, here we go again....

[tommy525]

http://taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/arch ... 2003531390

No ban on US beef

[Charlie Phillips]

Has anyone ever considered the possibility of false positives? It does happen you know....even with AIDS tests and a bunch of other newer diseases that tests have been invented for.

[Homey]

The whole beef with us cow products is just a political game. While I'm no fan of any chemical in my food, it's downright impossible to avoid these days. Even the high and mighty Taiwanese have plastic in many products not to mention a long list of other chemicals from biotech companies.

If you speak to people in the states and ask them about the problems with beef, they say 'what problems?' There was a recent 'pink slime' scandal with ground beef but absolutely nothing about mad cow or ractophine or whatever seems to be the latest Taiwan/US beefophobia. Beef consumption is very common in the states, very common. If there was a terribly serious issue it would show up in the States on a large scale, not in Taiwan. It's all just political posturing and ignorance fueled fear that has sadly become the norm in politics around the world.

The no weapons if no beef solution wouldn't work too well for the mighty US military industrial complex who just want to sell more weapons and make more money. One of the main exports of the States is not beef, but rather weapons and all kinds of assorted hardware to deliver death and destruction to our fellow humans. Far more will be/have been killed from US weapon exports than from any beef.

[Taiwan Luthiers]

I am sorry, but the first few response just reeks of nationalism.

First of all, it is common knowledge that US does feed beef offals to other cows, thus increasing the risk of transmission of diseases like mad cow disease, that and many inhumane but cheap farming practices that just isn't good.

Plus even if no one bans beef import, no one in Taiwan will buy them because this culture is driven partly by gossip, and once the bad reputation is out, its very hard make it go away. If you notice many restaurants and even Carrefour posted notice saying that they do not use or sell US beef, so the only way to get them is through retailers or restaurants who takes US beef and passes it off as Australian. Threatening Taiwan with loss of visa wavier (which doesn't mean much... its just that the decision is shifted from AIT staff to US immigration checks, both are equally hard-ass) or weapons sale doesn't do the US any good, and in fact will bite them in the ass because people will see US as a bully.

[Belgian Pie]

Even the high and mighty Taiwanese have plastic in many products

No, they don't ... it's called plasticizer, not plastic ... completely different

absolutely nothing about mad cow or ractophine or whatever seems to be the latest Taiwan/US beefophobia.]

No such thing like ractophine ... it's called ractopamine ...

But you're right, it's not about the beef, it's about the whole system behind the beef ... companies like Monsanto, Cargill ... More beef means more corn meaning that companies like mentioned before can sell more genetically modified seeds, pesticides, fertilizers ... and can sell more feed ...

[GC Rider]

But you're right, it's not about the beef, it's about the whole system behind the beef ... companies like Monsanto, Cargill ... More beef means more corn meaning that companies like mentioned before can sell more genetically modified seeds, pesticides, fertilizers ... and can sell more feed ...

Thanks for telling the truth. In addition, let's not forget that all these chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc that necessary for growing the corn are made out of mineral oil coming from OPEC countries. So, it's true, it's all about politics. From beef to the US-led wars for oil in the mideast, it's all connected. It's not simply about beef.

[suntex01]

I am sorry, but the first few response just reeks of nationalism.

First of all, it is common knowledge that US does feed beef offals to other cows, thus increasing the risk of transmission of diseases like mad cow disease, that and many inhumane but cheap farming practices that just isn't good.

Plus even if no one bans beef import, no one in Taiwan will buy them because this culture is driven partly by gossip, and once the bad reputation is out, its very hard make it go away. If you notice many restaurants and even Carrefour posted notice saying that they do not use or sell US beef, so the only way to get them is through retailers or restaurants who takes US beef and passes it off as Australian. Threatening Taiwan with loss of visa wavier (which doesn't mean much... its just that the decision is shifted from AIT staff to US immigration checks, both are equally hard-ass) or weapons sale doesn't do the US any good, and in fact will bite them in the ass because people will see US as a bully.

Actually, as a potential cattler farmer right now, I can tell you US does not feed beef offals to cattle anymore. It has been banned for a few years now...
Nor is US beef grown solely on corn or other grain, that's a common misconception thanks to Food Inc., the movie. The truth is, a slaughter weight cattle fetches for about 1600~2000 usd before winter comes. And if a rancher relies on a pure grain fed diet, they won't be in the cattle business for long. Most cattle are raised by grazing. Its only in the last couple of month are they fed more grain. Personally, I think US should take mad cow more seriously. But its close to impossible to do it on the same level as Japan. There's simply too many cattle between NAFTA countries, and the cost would be astronomical.
But then again, I worry more about the chemicals usage on Taiwan's produce than I would US beef. Its scary when traces of chemicals are detected even with so-called "organic" produces.

[Belgian Pie]

The two words that don't seem to go together are ... Taiwan and Organic ...

[headhonchoII]

People aren't good at evaluating risks. Eat health, eat fresh and non processed, try to know where the food comes from, that's the key.