I think you are scraping the barrel, attempting to quote something published by Iowa State University. Couldn't you do better than that ? PS your link gives me "
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The USA is in denial about BSE in particular, and TSEs in general. They have put in place measures to ensure that any bovine cases are never discovered, despite fallen stock being a widespread phenomenon in stockyards. Business speaks.
Also it seems you are unaware of the concern about atypical scrapie, first identified in Norway in the late 90s and now recognised to be widespread here. Its far too early to know whether it is a risk to humans, or not, so the precautionary principle is being applied.
If the link works, try
TSE regulations - Better Regulation Executive (BRE)
"In addition another brain disease in sheep, atypical scrapie, has recently been identified. This disease is a TSE disease like “classical scrapie” and BSE but is distinct from both. Atypical scrapie is thought to be relatively widespread in the UK, in fact more widespread than classical scrapie. It is SEAC’s view that although atypical scrapie is not BSE, and there is no evidence that it can be transmitted to humans, a human health risk cannot be ruled out. SEAC have advised further research into whether atypical scrapie might be a risk to humans, and FSA is currently undertaking this. It is for these reasons that precautionary SRM controls remain in sheep.
More information about atypical scrapie can be found on our website at the following link: http://www.food.gov.uk/bse/what/atypicalscrapie"
Also see
Scrapie Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency
"
Atypical scrapie has been detected in recent years, primarily through the testing programme for fallen stock and abattoir culls. However, retrospective studies have indicated that it has been present in theUK since the late 1980s. The route of infection is poorly understood and the disease is most commonly seen in animals over five years old.The clinical signs of scrapie are similar to those of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and there is a risk that sheep and goats were exposed to the BSE agent in contaminated feed. Experiments show that sheep are susceptible to BSE and natural BSE has been confirmed in a goat.
The public health concern about the possibility of BSE affecting sheep or goats has caused concern about the continued presence of scrapie in the EU. Active surveillance programs have been put in place to monitor for scrapie in fallen stock and at the abattoir.
In sheep, classical scrapie can be controlled by breeding programmes, as there are breed lines of sheep which carry genetic factors (alleles) which give resistance to the disease. In goats the genetics are less clear, but evidence is being gathered that certain alleles are protective in certain herds.
Unfortunately, atypical scrapie occurs in the genotypes of sheep which are normally considered more resistant to scrapie."
Also see
TSEs Scrapie Research Sheep | Moredun United Kingdom UK
If you'd care to eat a brain burger made from a sheep with atypical scrapie, I'd be glad to cook it for you...
Regarding CWD, no there is no sign that it has crossed the pond. But we ought to be a damn sight more vigilant about the possibility and have much better biosecurity measures, along the lines of NZ.
Jelendeer were being sensationalist in their blog post of 14 January, but there was a valid point buried in there.
Meanwhile my personal policy is to eat no mammal brains.