Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 23, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke’s Statement on Suspected Finding of Mad Cow Disease in Washington State

Gov. Gary Locke today issued the following statement on the “presumptive” positive testing of one cow in Washington state for mad cow disease:

“We are taking all necessary steps to assure the protection of the health and safety of our citizens and our state’s livestock industry. The federal government, specifically the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is the lead on this investigation. We are cooperating fully with federal authorities, and we will be actively assisting with this investigation.

“The federal investigating authorities have concluded that human food supplies have not been threatened in any way, and that beef remains safe for consumption in our state and across the country.

“The preliminary findings are that tissue samples from a Holstein cow from a small farm near Mabton, Wash., have tested ‘presumptive positive’ for mad cow disease. In the interests of ensuring public safety, it is being treated as ‘positive.’ Definitive test results from the United Kingdom should be known in three to five days.

“We will continue to keep the citizens of our state informed as the investigation continues.”

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Related Links:
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Washington State Department of Agriculture
- Washington State Department of Health

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