Washington, DC (AHN)-A U.S. Agriculture Department spokesperson lauded the low-key world reaction to the discovery of the third U.S. case of mad cow disease, saying it is a sign that trading partners recognize that American beef is safe.

On his third stop on a trip to Europe, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns tells reporters in Berlin, "It was not an animal that got in the (human) food supply. It did not get in the animal feed supply. Our firewalls worked."

According to Reuters, two major Asian markets say the new U.S. case would not cause any immediate change in plans, with South Korea scheduled to resume U.S. beef purchases in April. Japan and the United States are also in discussions to refine U.S. meat inspections.

South Korean officials said they saw no reason to delay opening their borders unless the new U.S. case was born before the feed ban.

Meanwhile, in Japan, Agriculture Minister Shoichi Nakagawa says the new case would not affect ongoing talks over trade suspended on January 20 when inspectors found part of a backbone in a shipment of veal. However, Japan has asked USDA how it will prevent any more violations.