Mad Cow Disease

WASHINGTON (CN) – The Department of Agriculture has determined that mad cow disease can be kept under control with fewer restrictions when the cows or their products come from regions in which the risk of the disease is minimal. According to the USDA, it is safe to derive gelatin from cow hides, process cow parts in the same facility at which parts of nonruminants are processed, and identify the cow in ways other than with eartags, as long as the cows have identifiers showing they come from regions in which risk of the disease is minimal. [Click here](http://www.courthousenews.com/2008/01/23/Federal Regulation Brief Jan. 22, 2008.doc) for detail and other new regulations.