US Government Won't Let Company Test for Mad Cow

New York Times ^ | 4/10/04 | Donald McNiel, Jr.

[lepton]

Otherwise why would the govt care if a company wants to test products?

Because the testing and marketting of the resultant product could be construed as fraud?

[LonghornFreeper]

The government doesn't want one company to put some kind of idiotic "100% Mad Cow Free" seal on its products. Then idiotic American consumers who don't realize that more people die every year from pissing on electric train rails than have ever died in the US from mad-cow related illnesses will pay the extra for the supposedly "mad-cow free" beef, and drive up the prices for everyone. I do not necessarily agree with the government's right to do this, but when you go to the store and see people spend twice as much on tuna because it is "dolphin free" or on coffee because it is "organic shade grown" you realize just how dumb many American consumers really are.

[LandOfLincolnGOP]

I do not necessarily agree with the government's right to do this, but when you go to the store and see people spend twice as much on tuna because it is "dolphin free" or on coffee because it is "organic shade grown" you realize just how dumb many American consumers really are.

Well, yeah. Consumer stupidity one of the things that helps my stock portfolio go up.

I just think it's ironic that all of a sudden there are these alleged conservatives defending this dumb*ss government regulation. Apparently we really are getting brainwashed by this Big Government-happy administration.

[InABunkerUnderSF]

And since the tests aren't free, all beef consumers will pay for them in the form of increased beef prices.

Personally I'd rather pay a few more cents a pound for a ribeye than have my brain turn into swiss cheese.

[Indie]

Normally I wouldn't believe an article like this, but since we are dealing with Big Brother, it is totally believable. If I said what I felt, I would be banned from FR and the jackboots would come for me. This is purely beyond the realm of reason, as are most government "rules."
We should change our name to SFR...Socialist Free Republic to make a point.

~Cheers [Yes I am having a beer with my steak..and I no longer eat "hamburger"..only ground steak cuts like sirloin]

[secretagent]

If "we", the taxpayers, subsidize beef producers, then we have a say in how much they produce, what they can charge, what health standards they must meet, what health claims they can make, and how we will allow them to "compete" with other producers. Our USDA knows what's best for the good of the whole industry, and must watch out for unfair competitors.

We don't have a free market in beef production, I assume.

[HiTech RedNeck]

If that's what the consumers demand, let them.

I think the US gummint is afraid of loosing a panic and (IMHO) looking bad.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Oh, moo yourself.

The tests would not be absolute proof of the absence of mad cow. As long as they are promoted with the utmost honesty I see no problem.

[solo gringo]

Red flags goes up anytime i see a NY Times piece.The next red flag goes up when no one on this post says I am a beef packer.The next red flag goes when everyone believes what NY Times write.
I am a rancher i sell my cattle to the highest bidder.My cattle are grass fed and fat when they leave the ranch.Can any poster say the same thing let me hear from you.If you want things to get screwed up turn it over to someone that has an ax to grind [ie]NYTIMES

[CrucifiedTruth]

You could buy the screening kit and test your beef yourself.

Or I could buy the calf and feed my own cow! Much safer and cheaper than your proposal to test every piece I buy. I could even go further, buy the metal make my own car, house, everything. If you follow your own advice you should deal with this "offending" company yourself. Why do you want the government to do it for you? You seem to be running against yourself...