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1. MDARD Asking Poultry and Domestic Bird Owners to Increase Biosecurity Efforts [edited]
Michigan Dept. of Agriculture News Release
March 30, 2015
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is encouraging domestic bird owners to increase their biosecurity efforts and take appropriate steps to protect their birds from avian influenza. Since December 2014, the United States has been experiencing an increase in instances of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) affecting poultry in multiple states.
"Arkansas, Missouri, and Minnesota have detected avian influenza in commercial flocks recently which raises concerns that Michigan may be next as wild waterfowl will be migrating north soon," said State Veterinarian Dr. James Averill. "The cause of infection for these birds is still unknown, but in the meantime domestic bird owners need to take appropriate steps to mitigate interactions with domestic and wild birds."
Averill recommends the following six steps for protecting domestic birds from H5 avian influenza:
� Keep your distance - Restrict access to your property and keep your birds away from other birds. Keep your poultry away from open ponds and waterways that may be visited by migrating waterfowl.
� Keep it clean - Wash your hands thoroughly before and after working with birds. Clean and disinfect equipment.
� Don't haul disease home - Buy birds from sources that have disease monitoring programs and keep new birds separated for at least 30 days.
� Don't borrow disease - Don't share equipment or supplies with neighbors or other bird owners. If you must borrow, disinfect it first.
� Know the warning signs - Early detection can help prevent the spread of the disease. Check your birds frequently. If you find a sick or dead wild bird, don't touch it.
� Report sick birds - If your birds are sick or dying, contact MDARD at 800-292-3939 or for after-hours emergencies 517-373-0440. If you notice dead wild birds, call the Michigan Department of Natural Resources hotline 1-800-292-7800.
Full text:
http://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-1572_3628-351167--,00.html
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2. U.S. plans to dig deeper on antibiotics given to livestock
By: Tom Polansek, Reuters
AgWeek.com
March 30, 2015
CHICAGO - The U.S. government next year plans to begin collecting more detailed data on antibiotics used on farms in a potential precursor to set targets for reduced use of the drugs in animals.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is waiting for approval of federal funding to add questions about antibiotics to annual surveys of livestock producers as part of a bid to determine the most-complete national usage estimates ever in cattle, hogs and poultry, according to the agency.
The data drive comes amid increasing concerns among researchers about the deadly problem of antibiotic resistance in humans. An estimated 80 percent of all antibiotics used in the United States are administered to livestock, not to people, but existing government surveys collect limited information about usage on farms.
The enhanced surveys are expected to ask producers which livestock were given antibiotics and why, according to the Animal Health Institute, which represents pharmaceutical companies like Zoetis Inc and Elanco, the animal-health division of Eli Lilly and Co. The responses could then be used as a baseline to set targets for reduced use.
Full text:
http://www.agweek.com/event/article/id/25426/
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3. ADT Clarification: Selling at a livestock auction market
By Livestock Marketing Association
Drovers CattleNetwork.com
March 31, 2015
The Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) rule went into effect on March 11, 2013. However, after a 2-year grace period, the final component of the rule went into effect this month. Many producers have been asking questions recently to ensure they are complying with the rule. In some cases, there has been a misconception that the rule prohibits producers from traveling to a market across state lines to sell cattle. This is not true. In fact, in most cases, when selling at market producers do not need to do anything different because they have the auction market owners can help ensure the rules are followed.
It is important to note that state rules still apply and are not consistent across the United States. Any questions about shipping to another state can be answered by the State Veterinarian's office in the receiving state.
THE 2015 PHASE IN
As of March 11, 2015, ear tags applied to cattle on or after this date must have an animal identification number beginning with the 840 or other prefix representing a U.S. territory in order to be recognized as official identification. The tag must also bear an official ear tag shield.
This does not change what animals require official identification or when official identification is required. Rather, USDA simply allowed a two-year phase in period to ensure ear tags being used as official identification would meet the standards listed above.
Full text:
http://www.cattlenetwork.com/news/ag-policy/adt-clarification-selling-livestock-auction-market
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4. K-State expert to direct NBAF projects development
Marty Vanier to join Homeland Security group in April
By The Capital-Journal
Topeka Capital-Journal
March 30, 2015
The Department of Homeland Security has named a Kansas State University expert in diseases that threaten livestock and agriculture to head up partnership development efforts at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility being built on the K-State campus.
Marty Vanier, currently head of K-State's National Agricultural Biosecurity Center, will help coordinate government, education, and livestock/animal health interests in NBAF research designed to safeguard the nation's food supply.
Vanier, who joined the K-State staff in 1989 as a researcher in food safety, received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the school in 1981. She will begin her new duties with the DHS in April.
Full text:
http://cjonline.com/news/2015-03-30/k-state-expert-direct-nbaf-projects-development
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5. New Idaho rules relax import restrictions on livestock [edited]
Capital Press
March 30, 2015
BOISE - Two pending rules that relax some import restrictions on livestock entering the state have been approved by the Idaho Legislature.
One of the rules involves dairy cattle headed for slaughter and the other affects all cattle and horses, and both are designed to make it easier for the state's livestock industry to operate.
The new rules both have safeguards to ensure herd health is protected, said Scott Leibsle, deputy administrator of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture's animal industries division.
One of the rule changes will allow dairy cattle imported into Idaho to be granted a tuberculosis testing exemption if they are consigned directly to feedlots approved for finish feeding.
This means they could be brought in under the testing exemption only if they are kept in the slaughter channel and used for no other purpose, said Leibsle, the deputy state veterinarian.
Another rule approved by lawmakers this year would lift a prohibition on importing livestock that originate within a 10-mile radius of an outbreak of vesicular stomatitis, a viral disease that primarily affects horses and cattle but can also impact sheep and goats.
During a conference call with other state veterinarians last year, it became clear that Idaho's vesicular stomatitis restriction wasn't necessary because it differs from the nationwide standard, which is only to limit importation of animals from the affected premises, Leibsle said.
Full text:
http://www.capitalpress.com/Idaho/20150330/new-idaho-rules-relax-import-restrictions-on-livestock
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6. USDA Awards 36 Food Safety Grants, Including $6.7 Million for Antimicrobial Resistance, to Protect Consumers
NIFA News Release
March 31, 2015
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced funding awards totaling nearly $19 million, including more than $6.7 million for antimicrobial resistance strategies, to 36 grantees to ensure a safe and nutritious food supply and while maintaining American agricultural competitiveness. NIFA made the awards through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), which is authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.
"Increasing food safety continues to be a major focus for USDA, as it directly impacts the health and well-being of all Americans," said Sonny Ramaswamy, NIFA director. "Funding provided to universities supports discoveries of new ways that we can prevent foodborne illnesses and increase the safety of our food production industry."
NIFA made the awards through the AFRI Food Safety program to protect consumers from microbial and chemical contaminants that may occur in the food chain, from production to consumption. This year, AFRI's Food Safety program is comprised of five sub-programs.
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/pa53akd
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7. Implications of COOL, retaliation spelled out
By P. Scott Shearer, Bockorny Group, Washington, D.C.
National Hog Farmer
March 30, 2015
What are the implications of retaliatory measures against the United States if the World Trade Organization rules in favor of Canada and Mexico in their case against the United States concerning Country-of-Origin Labeling requirements for beef and pork?
That was the focus of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture's hearing on COOL. The hearing included a cross-section of agriculture, business and industry witnesses. The majority of the witnesses said the threat of retaliation is severe, and Congress must act quickly to prevent irreparable damages to industry and the U.S. economy. They suggested that Congress pass legislation to repeal COOL.
The COOL Reform Coalition, co-chaired by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, said, "Canada and Mexico are by far the United States' largest export markets, and purchased a record $485 billion in manufactured goods in 2014. Those exports support millions of U.S. jobs. WTO-authorized retaliation by two of the largest U.S. trading partners could result in billions in tariffs affecting multiple sectors of the U.S. economy, threatening the livelihoods of American families."
Full text:
http://nationalhogfarmer.com/marketing/implications-cool-retaliation-spelled-out
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