Meat Sales Rise Cautiously as Experts Reassure on Mad Cow Disease

In the past seven days, meat sales in our province have increased modestly. The upward trend in consumption is therefore resuming, albeit cautiously. This was stated by Giampaolo Mantelli, provincial assessor for agriculture, who spoke yesterday afternoon at a debate on “mad cow disease” and the contrast between the scientific-health reality and media representation in Pozzolengo, as part of the events organized for the San Giuseppe Fair by the municipal administration. Everyone agrees, however, on one point: “mad cow disease” can no longer be considered a threat or a nightmare for consumers, farmers, and producers alike.

Situation and comments on the “mad cow disease” issue

There seems to be no longer a abyss between the scientific community and the political sphere. At most, a small moat. Last night from Pozzolengo, another blow was dealt to the incredible case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, which has thrown the world of consumers into chaos and brought our meat production into despair.

First Loris Alborali, director of the Istituto Zooprofilattico di Brescia, then Mantelli, followed by Maurizio Cattaneo, director of Bresciaoggi, and finally Francesco Ferrari, president of the Agriculture Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, have been able to provide reassuring insights about the quality of our meat and the message that the media are now called to promote.

Alborali, in particular, clarified that our province has at least 500,000 cattle: 200,000 for meat, the remaining for dairy. Sales have fallen by 70 percent in just a few months, despite the fact that “what is consumed on our tables is absolutely not at risk.” In fact, cattle over 30 months are tested and only used for consumption if the test results are negative.

Regarding calves, that is known. Another taboo to dispel is the danger posed by bone marrow. It is often confused with the spinal cord, which is indeed at risk, as are internal organs.

For Maurizio Cattaneo, the mad cow saga was further complicated by the nearby election deadline: too often, instead of providing information, statements took on propagandistic character. However, mistakes were also made by the media, which too often spread unconfirmed rumors.

There was an impassioned defense of our livestock industry and a harsh critique of the Government’s behavior in the “Mad Cow” affair by Giampaolo Mantelli, who announced the imminent opening of an animal incineration center at the end of their lifecycle.

“Certifying our production chains,” concluded the provincial assessor, “is the only response to give to consumers and detractors.” Francesco Ferrari finally defended the Government’s work, “for managing to find a line of balance between human health and the safeguarding of cattle production.”

Among others, present at the conference were the mayor of Pozzolengo Bellini, the assessor Saetti, the mayor of Ponti sul Mincio Rebuschi, and the president.