Senate passes 'mad cow' bill

Washington-Legislation that would enlist government agencies in preventing the spreadof mad cow disease in the U.S. was received with unanimous U.S. Senate approval.

The bill, , sponsored by Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) whichis pending House approval, establishes a task force comprised of severalagencies, such as the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture and the Foodand Drug Administration. The task force would conduct a six-month reviewon mad cow and other livestock-related diseases.

"The genie is already out of the bottle," says Campbell, inreference to the mad cow epidemic in Europe. "We can't just have ourheads in the sand."

The legislation would require the task force, spearheaded by AgricultureSecretary Ann Veneman, to file a report with Congress in 30 days explaininghow it coordinates activities and communicates information to the public.The report would evaluate whether the administration requires more fundingor additional legislative authorities to further its efforts.

Six months after filing, the task force would submit a second comprehensivereport on the economic and public health impact if the diseases spread tothe U.S.

The task force will also study foot-and-mouth disease.