US feed and meat organizations protest final feed rule

Twelve national feed, rendering, livestock and meat processing organizations told the Bush Administration that the pending final feed rule expected from FDA any day, is not needed.  They cite continued strong compliance with the existing BSE feed rule, further reduced risk since the proposed rule was first published two years ago, and what the industry sees as a continuing underestimation of costs and impacts of the rule.

Shortly after the letter was received by Secretary of Agriculture Ed Shafer, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt, Special Trade Representative Susan Schwab and head of the Office of Management & Budget Jim Nussle, Leavitt formally requested another 30 days to review the proposal over enforcement issues.

The groups said the proposal does not provide direction to industry on specified risk material disposal, and does not fully contemplate the impact on renderers, many of which have said they’d cease picking up all deadstock if there’s no value in picking up cattle.  [Source: AFIA]