Jen Ellen has a veritable point.

I suspect that any ban on America Beef is nore conected with fiscal sanctions rather than public health issues.

Just a little story, which I can warrent true.

In the mid 70's I was working for a firm of Lloyds (Insurance) Brokers. We had a master cointract for the insurance of meat from OZ to Europe and the US Of A.

A shipment of Frozen beef was unloaded at one of the Gulf ports, and had passed both the US inspection at the pacjing plant, and at the point of entery.

It was shipped by rail to Chicago - The train derailed, and the refrrigerated cars lay on the side of the track for a day or two. No power. No refrigeration.

Bluntly when they were salvaged the cartons/carcases were crawling with Maggots acording to the survey of the Local Lloyds Agents.

I was prepared to agree a Total Loss with underwiters and owners.

Total Loss ? - NO! The meat had been passed as fit for human consumption at the point of despatch, and the point of entry.

No problem, wash the beef, and sell it.

Makes yer think don't it.

Gareth