As bad jokes go, this is one of them

The U.S. border continues to be closed to live Canadian cattle, notwithstanding that back in 1997 Canada banned ruminant feed, the most likely means of transmission. Right now the reason for the ban is that a Montana judge decided that opening the border could cause irreparable harm to the American cattle industry.

Is it possible to cause irreparable harm to an industry that's actively mutilating itself?

(M)uch of the commercially produced calf feed available today contains the very stuff that could spread mad cow disease throughout our food chain.
What is the Department of Agriculture doing about this? Nothing. As I said, the Department of Agriculture refuses to even consider stronger regulations that would put an end to this disgusting practice.

And in classic Bushian style:

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns will, as his press release says, “hold a roundtable discussion regarding the safety of North American beef...” Those invited to participate include USDA officials, producers, packers, and others.
Who are the others? Groups that don’t want more testing and don’t want the government passing regulations that would make calf feed cleaner and thus slightly more expensive. In fact, consumer groups, organic livestock companies, and beef producers who oppose allowing cows to eat cow blood and slaughterhouse waste will not be allowed to participate.

I suppose there is some good news in all this: the full hearing is set to take place July 27, and surely this information will have to have some effect. Right?