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The 376 Vermont sheep suspected by the US Department of Agriculture of
harbouring a BSE-like disease were given a temporary stay of execution on 21
July. Owners of two flocks are challenging the USDA’s Western blot tests that
found evidence suggesting BSE in four sheep. A court will hear expert testimony
this week. Vermont authorities warned that cheese made with milk from the sheep,
which were imported from Belgium and the Netherlands in 1996, poses a
“theoretical” danger to public health. By implication, dairy products from all
countries with reported or possible BSE are risky too.