The test samples were received at the laboratory in Waybridge, England early Christmas morning. The UK veterinary pathologists concur with our interpretation of the Dec. 22 positive test conducted by USDA pathologists at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames Iowa. USDA Chief Veterinarian Ron. DeHaven considers this concurrence to be confirmatory of our finding of a positive BSE case.
The Waybridge lab will conduct a series of additional confirmatory tests and we fully anticipate they will be consistent with the earlier finding from similar tests conducted at NVSL.
U.S. Government officials will update reporters on the investigation at 11 a.m. EST on December 26, 2003.
