The US$27 billion US cattle industry is reeling following confirmation of the country's first case of BSE last week.

The US$27 billion US cattle industry is reeling following confirmation of the country's first case of BSE last week. At least 37 countries have banned US beef, including Japan, the biggest client, which takes around 32% of US exports. Canada has banned single processed meats. US cattle prices were reported to have fallen by way of nearly 20% (see A/1 and M/1 this issue).

The initial positive touchstone result was announced by US agriculture secretary Ann Veneman forward December 23, and this was confirmed according to tests at the UK's