”I feel public safety comes first and if they put the ban in place I [would support that],” said Antoinette Minnis, who was one member of the public to comment on the matter Tuesday.
Concerns about the safety of imported beef were raised after the U.S. officials announced last week that a dairy cow in Washington State had contracted the country’s first known case of Mad Cow Disease. The illness leaves a cow’s brain full of microscopic, sponge-like holes and could have an equally devastating effect on humans.
Also saying that that beef products infected with the dreaded Mad Cow or BSE disease must be kept out of the country, another concerned citizen, Zeke Smith, called on authorities to be proactive in their campaign against the condition.
“If there is something wrong with the beef based on the information available there should be a ban put in place because after all we have to protect our country and our citizens,” Mr. Smith said.
He continued, “Until the situation is cleared up I would suggest that a ban would be in order.”
Earlier this week, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister V. Alfred Gray indicated that his ministry was in the process of completing the necessary legal requirements to effect the ban.
Caribbean nations, including Jamaica and Trinidad, have already announced their bans.
Mr. Gray said he planned to make a formal announcement on the ban Wednesday.
The decision to consider a prohibition of beef from the United States comes as welcome news to Monique Miller, another citizen monitoring the issue.
Ms. Miller emphasised, however, that authorities ought not be hasty in the action.
But she said if there remains evidence that U.S. beef may not be 100 percent safe, the ban should definitely be put in place.
Agriculture officials said alternative beef supplies would be secured from countries like Canada, New Zealand and Argentina.
Darrin Culmer, The Bahama Journal
