| Swine Flu
The National Pork Board is urging pork producers to enhance the biosecurity plans on their farms as the result of a new strain of the swine influenza virus type H1N1 being reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The virus is unique and has not been seen in the U.S. swine herd.
At this time, no pigs have been found to be infected or sick with the virus. It is unknown if this new strain causes any type of illness in swine. However, because it is novel, the National Pork Board is urging producers to take extra precaution to protect our industry's workers and our animals.
To prevent the introduction of the new strain of swine influenza virus type H1N1 into your operation, follow good biosecurity practices. Because people have been reported sick with this virus, make sure your biosecurity practices place special emphasis on protecting your animals and your operation's workers by monitoring all persons having access to your operation.
If you are a contract producer, be sure to stay in communication with your integrator/production company about this issue. For additional information, please contact Deborah Johnson at 919-781-0361.
Swine Flu Facts:
(From the National Pork Producers Council)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security:
- People cannot get the hybrid influenza from eating pork or pork products. Most influenza viruses, including the swine flu virus, are not spread by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
- There are no food safety issues related to the hybrid flu that has been identified, according to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano.
- Preliminary investigations have determined that none of the people infected with the hybrid flu had contact with hogs. "This virus is different, very different from that found in pigs."
- The hybrid virus never has been identified in hogs in the United States or anywhere in the world.
- The hybrid virus is contagious and is spreading by human-to-human transmission.
For more information, visit www.pork.org or www.cdc.gov/swineflu. |
The Truth About HSUS Finally Getting Out
Over the weekend, the state's two biggest newspapers ran stories on The Humane Society of the United States.
The stories, which appeared in the Raleigh News and Observer and the Charlotte Observer, asked all of the right questions and highlighted HSUS' real agenda of attacking animal agriculture.
To read the stories, see the below links.
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General Assembly News
Last week, the NC Senate rolled out a proposal to make significant changes to NC's tax system.
For NC farmers, the plan changes the sales tax exemption for non-depreciable agricultural purchases for farmers who bring in more than $1 million in gross receipts. For farmers who bring in between $1M and $2.5M annually would pay 50% of the sales tax on these items and farmers making more than $2.5M would pay all sales taxes on previously exempt items.
This particular change would produce an estimated $50M in additional revenue for the state.
The tax plan has a long way to go before becoming law. |
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NCPC Scholarships Available ~ Deadline May 1st
In 2005 the North Carolina Pork Council created an educational endowment to provide scholarships for students enrolling in agricultural programs at community colleges and at North Carolina State University in the College of Agriculture and Life Science's two or four year swine production programs.
Two scholarships in the amount of $600 each will be awarded annually. The scholarships will be paid directly to the institution unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Past NCPC scholarship recipients are eligible to re-apply on a yearly basis.
The application deadline is May 1 and all required information, including letters of recommendation and transcripts, must be submitted by this date.
The NCPC internship/scholarship committee, consisting of NC Pork Council members, is responsible for the review of all applications and selection of scholarship recipients.
For more information on eligibility requirements and to download an application please go to the link on our website here.
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News from WashingtonFind out what's going on in Washington that affects the pork industry. Click here to keep up to date on NPPC's press releases. |
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2009 NCPC Student Internship Program
The North Carolina Pork Council has implemented a program to sponsor student internships.
To learn more and to download a brochure and application click here.
Applications must be received by April 15, 2009.
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