Beef

WASHINGTON, January 5, 2010 - The Office of the United States Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture today released a statement regarding the decision by Taiwan's Legislative Yuan to bar import of some U.S. beef and beef products. The following statement is from Deputy United States Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis and Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Jim Miller:

"We are deeply disappointed with the decision by Taiwan's Legislative Yuan to amend the Food Sanitation Act (FSA) to unjustifiably bar the import of certain U.S. beef and beef products.    » read more »

Company repeatedly found in violation of food safety requirements

December 7, 2009 -- Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) today called for the closure of Beef Packers, Inc. in the wake of a 22,723 pound recall of beef suspected to be contaminated with salmonella Newport.

The Cargill-owned company has a history of food safety violations, including a nearly 860,000 pound recall earlier this year of meat contaminated with the same strain of salmonellosis suspected in this recall.

The company has also been the subject of a recent investigation by USA Today regarding their participation in the National School Lunch Program, and has been suspended from the program three times for safety concerns.    » read more »

Recent USDA Report Shows: Nearly 1 in 300 Samples of Ground Beef Contain E. coli

November 19, 2009 -- Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the first New York senator to sit on the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 40 years, announced today the introduction of the E. coli Eradication Act - legislation she authored that would for the first time federally mandate testing of all ground beef for E. coli.    » read more »

Washington, Nov. 2, 2009 - The Office of the United States Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture today released a brief statement regarding Taiwan's announcement on the import of American beef. The following statement is from Carol Guthrie, Assistant United States Trade Representative for Public Affairs, and Chris Mather, USDA Director of Communications:    » read more »

Gillibrand Says Over 900 Food Products Have Been Recalled for Various Violations from New York City Shelves Since 2005

October 18, 2009 -- New York, NY - In response to a new report out this month from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) showing nearly 1 out of every 300 samples of ground beef contains E. coli, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the first New York senator to sit on the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 40 years, joined today with consumers who have contracted E. coli from contaminated food, plus medical and food safety experts to announce the E. coli Eradication Act.    » read more »

May 23, 2008 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. –It’s that time of year again. The temperatures are rising outside and Kentuckians are lighting up their grills to cook beef. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear recognizes this American tradition by proclaiming May 2008 Beef Month in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Steak: Photo by Robin (CC)    » read more »

May 8, 2008 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Miley Gonzalez announced that Mexico has reopened its border to U.S. cattle, paving the way for a cattle crossing Wednesday evening at Santa Teresa. This is the first cattle export to Mexico since many countries banned U.S. beef and beef products in 2003 as a result of Mad Cow Disease in the Pacific Northwest.

New Mexico cattle ranch: Photo by katiew (CC)    » read more »

April 18, 2008 -- Lincoln, Neb.-- Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman recently sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer requesting assistance for Nebraska’s livestock and poultry industries, which have been severely impacted by the growing cost of feed grains.

South Koreans protest US beef imports, Seoul: Photo by doc_ido (CC)    » read more »

2/17/2008 -- Statement from Sen. Hillary Clinton:    » read more »

February 18, 2008, Chicago, IL -- Senator Barack Obama released a statement on the Department of Agriculture's decision to recall 143 million pounds of frozen beef that came from "downed" animals. The consumption of downed cattle can pose a higher risk of contamination from E. coli, salmonella or mad cow disease.

Senator Barack Obama released the following statement:    » read more »

2/18/2008 -- Following the largest beef recall in our nation’s history, Hillary Clinton highlighted a series of food safety proposals she would pursue as President. This recall is not an isolated case – it is yet another troubling reminder that our food supply is at risk. Each year, tens of millions of Americans contract food-borne illnesses every year; hundreds of thousands are hospitalized; and thousands die. And the risks are only growing.    » read more »

24 January 2008 -- The Brazilian government says deforestation of the Amazon surged during the last five months of 2007.

The report, issued Wednesday, says that between August and December of last year more than 3,000 square kilometers of the world's largest rain forest were cleared. Environment ministry officials say that number may be higher after they analyze satellite images with a higher resolution.

Brazil's environment minister, Marina Silva, and other ministers are meeting with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Thursday to discuss how to curb deforestation.    » read more »

Bentonville, ARK., October 5, 2007 -- the Minnesota Department of Health announced it is investigating four cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection in Minnesota residents associated with eating frozen ground beef patties manufactured by Cargill Inc., and purchased from Sam’s Club beginning August 26, 2007 with an expiration date of February 12, 2008 at Eagan, Maple Grove and White Bear Lake locations.    » read more »

Japan Market Expansion Talks Set

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2007 – Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that the government of South Korea has lifted the suspension of six U.S. meat plants.

"We are pleased that Korea will allow the resumption of shipments from these plants," said Johanns. "USDA has taken action to ensure compliance with Korean import requirements here in the United States and Korea recognized these efforts. Despite some start-up problems, beef exports to Korea are rapidly increasing."    » read more »

June 12, 2007 -- The Arizona Department of Health Services is notifying the public about the expansion of a USDA ground beef recall because of concerns that repackaged meat by grocery stores may contain E. coli 0157:H7, and not be labeled with the Establishment Code 1241. Additionally this recall includes earlier production dates beginning 4/6/07 and ending 4/20/07.    » read more »