Okay what is cow material and why are pigs in Texas allowed to eat it

Federal Officials OK Texas Cow Material for Swine Feed

WASHINGTON (AP) - The byproducts of a Texas cow that was destroyed after it showed potential signs of a central nervous disorder must be made into pig feed or be destroyed, the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.
The FDA said it tracked down all the material from the cow that was sent to a processor for rendering into animal feed and other products. All the material is being held by a business that the agency did not name. The government has said that none of it got into the human food supply.

The cow was destroyed before it could be tested for mad cow disease, an incurable illness that eats holes in the brain, attacking the central nervous system.

The FDA planned to send a letter to the business saying it "will not object to use of this material in swine feed only" because pigs are not considered susceptible to mad cow disease, one in a family of illnesses known to infect grass-eating animals.
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAXOHFJUTD.html

unlike cattle or sheep. I'd have thought feeding the remains of a cow that might have mad cow disease is unwise, though.

http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=73&fr=1&sts=

"Feral pigs are omnivorous, opportunistic feeders, living mainly on a high-fibre (> 25%), low-protein diet (grasses, legumes, herbs and roots). They also readily eat crops, seeds and other animals when available (McIlroy 1990)."

I'd like to see some actual test results to prove that pigs can't get sick from eating infected beef. I'm sure the fda thoroughly tested this theory. </sarcasm>