WASHINGTON - A U.S. food safety group says older Canadian cows are coming across the border, despite the fact that they're still banned.
In a letter this week to the U.S. Agriculture Department, Food and Water Watch claims cattle older than 30 months, thought to be at higher risk of mad cow disease, are "routinely'' entering the U.S. food supply.
The watchdog group attached affidavits from five unnamed government inspection workers at slaughterhouses in three states.
The workers say there have been direct orders from supervisors not to intervene when an older Canadian animal is being processed, in violation of regulations.
They say policies are inconsistent from one plant to another and complain they can't physically examine the animals to see if the age matches the paperwork.
But Steven Cohen, a spokesman for the Food Safety and Inspection Service, said the department's safeguards are clear and thorough.
Meantime, a U.S. appeals court is scheduled to hear arguments next month in the latest bid by an American ranchers group to restrict all Canadian cattle imports
