USDA Actions to Prevent Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)

1988      Establishes BSE Working Group to regularly review the available
          science and suggest appropriate regulatory measures.


1989      Bans the importation of all ruminants, bovine semen, embryos, and
          meat and bone meal from the United Kingdom (U.K.), where BSE has
          been officially diagnosed.


1990      Begins BSE educational outreach, educating veterinary
          practitioners, veterinary laboratory diagnosticians, industry, and
          producers about the clinical signs and pathology of BSE.

          Initiates an active BSE surveillance program, including
          histopathological examination of brain tissue of high-risk cattle.

          Initiates traceback of cattle imported from the U.K.


1991      Conducts BSE risk analysis.

          Enacts formal regulations to prohibit the importation of most
          ruminant products from any country known to have BSE.


1993      Expands BSE surveillance program to include examination of brain
          tissue from "downer" cows.

          Updates the 1991 BSE risk analysis.


1994      Expands diagnostic testing to include supplemental tests for
          abnormal prion proteins, which are indicative of BSE.


1996      Updates the 1993 BSE risk analysis.


1997      Prohibits importation of live ruminants and most ruminant products
          from Europe.  

          Supports FDA regulation prohibiting the use of most mammalian
          protein in the manufacture of animal feeds given to ruminants.

1998      Enters into cooperative agreement with Harvard University to
          analyze and evaluate the Department's BSE prevention measures.  

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