The Change Mariner

Import Bans Turn Tables on U.S. Industry

San Francisco Chronicle:

The apparent discovery of mad cow disease in a lone cow from Washington state poses no immediate health concerns, but it could deliver a body blow to the entire nation's beef industry.

It remains to be seen whether American consumers will cut back on beef, despite reassurances that the meat is safe. But America's $2.6 billion beef export industry is already in jeopardy. As if to confirm cattlemen's worst fears, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan and Australia imposed bans today on U.S. beef imports.