BRUSSELS/CHICAGO – Major export markets for U.S. beef from Canada to Japan stayed open on Wednesday after the United States reported its case of mad cow disease in six years amid assurances that rigorous surveillance had safeguarded the food system.
U.S. live cattle futures were higher on Wednesday, but only recovered about half of what they lost on Tuesday when the market posted its biggest drop in seven months.
U.S. authorities quickly told consumers and importers around the world there was no danger that meat from the infected California dairy cow would enter the food chain. The cow tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly called mad cow disease.
Mexico, Korea, Japan, Canada and the European Union said they would continue to import U.S. beef, although two major South Korean retailers halted sales.
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