February 19, 2004 Orlando Sentinel (Florida)

But the USDA left a big gap in its response by failing to order enough additional testing of cattle for the disease. This month, two panels of experts -- one convened by the USDA and one by the Food and Drug Administration -- urged more testing.

While the USDA has doubled planned testing for this year to 40,000 cattle, that total is barely more than a tenth of a percent of the nearly 36 million to be slaughtered. By comparison, France tested half the cows it slaughtered in 2002, Germany tested two-thirds, and Japan tested all of them.

The USDA's testing mostly targets sick or injured cattle, known as downers. But some reports suggest the cow that tested positive in Washington was not a downer.

The FDA's panel said there is not enough testing to assess the extent of mad-cow disease in the United States. That assessment is crucial for determining what other steps might be needed to safeguard consumers of U.S. beef and prevent a new scare that could devastate cattle producers all over the country, including in Florida

The beef industry has opposed more testing because of the cost. But that cost, pennies a pound, is worth incurring if it helps establish the safety of the U.S. beef supply.

The status quo -- limited testing and continuing doubt about the extent of any problem -- serves neither public safety nor public confidence in the beef industry.