In what could be an important development for U.S. beef exports, the Scientific Commission for the World Organization for Animal Health recommended today that the U.S. risk classification for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), better known as mad cow disease, should be upgraded from “controlled” to “negligible” risk.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he was pleased by the ruling and considered it an accomplishment for the U.S. beef industry.

“Being classified as negligible risk for BSE by the OIE will also greatly support our efforts to increase exports of U.S. beef and beef products,” he said.

Vilsack noted that the commission stated that the risk assessments submitted for their evaluation were “robust and comprehensive, and that U.S. surveillance for, and safeguards against, BSE are strong.”

“The United States continues to press for normalization of beef trade with several nations in a manner that is based on science and consistent with international standards. U.S. food and agricultural exporters and consumers worldwide benefit when countries adopt international standards,” Vilsack said.

The ruling resulted from a U.S. application to the commission to upgrade its status.

Jess Peterson, a lobbyist for the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, said he was “extremely pleased” with the ruling, and praised Vilsack, Agriculture Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Ed Avalos and John Clifford, USDA’s chief veterinarian, for their efforts.

Peterson said the ruling should “bolster” the U.S. government's food safety claims in foreign markets.