USDA still not testing all suspected Mad Cow cases

You try to have faith in your government...and then you find out that faith is continually misplaced. News organizations are reporting that a veterinarian observed a cow stagger and fall, but instead of holding the cow for testing, it was shipped to a redering plant instead.

A second news story is alleging that this is not an isolated instance.

If we have USDA mandates that require the testing of suspected animals, why is that testing not being done? Even if these animals are sent to redering plants instead of being placed in the food chain, doesn't this imply that the USDA is trying to limit the number of found cases of Mad Cow?

Here are the links to the stories.
www.chron.com...

www.washtimes.com...

They're really trying to keep things covered up.
They are trying to protect the beef industry, not the consumers.
Washington Times

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has ordered its inspectors in Texas not to talk about mad cow disease with outside parties.

United Press International has learned that the gag order was sent May 6 by e-mail from the USDA's Dallas district office.

Canada.com

Over the past two years, Lone Star Beef, the 18th-largest packer in the United States, has slaughtered 350,000 head. Yet only three animals have been screened for brain-wasting diseases. And according to freedom of information requests filed by United Press International, the USDA tests animals at just 100 of America's 700 slaughterhouses.

They are supposed to be increasing testing soon but will those results be made public?

[Edited on 13-5-2004 by AceOfBase]

What's even better is the Gov't stopping a company that was going to be doing it's own testing at it's own expense. Wouldn't want to show up anybody.
Company's Mad Cow Tests Blocked

If they have really missed this many possible cases, how many have slipped through with minor or undiagnosed symptoms?