Last January, after the first case of Mad Cow Disease was discovered in the U.S, the federal government tried to alleviate consumer concerns by announcing new regulations that would forbid the feeding of blood, slaughterhouse wastes, and manure to cows. Six months later, none of those regulations have been implemented, although the USDA says the formal publications of new rules is imminent. The beef industry has applied intense pressure to the FDA and USDA to ensure that new regulations don't cut too deeply into profits. At the same time, the health of the American consumer is being jeopardized.

http://www.organicconsumers.org/madcow/laws.cfm