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1. Stewardship of antimicrobial use in livestock focus of 12 workshops
By Farm Foundation
Bovine Veterinarian
July 13, 2015
These regional workshops are an opportunity for livestock producers, their feed suppliers and veterinarians to gain a comprehensive understanding of two Guidance for Industry (GFIs) issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the use of medically- important antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals, as well as the FDA's revised Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) rule. The workshops are also an opportunity for other stakeholders, such as state and federal agencies, colleges of veterinary medicine and university extension personnel, to gain insights into the changes needed to meet the requirements.
Successful adaptation to the policy changes is critical to public and animal health, ensuring consumer confidence in food safety and the future viability of animal agriculture in the United States. "The success of achieving this goal--for both public health and the economic health of animal agriculture--hinges on producers having access to the information they need to adjust production practices, and the capacity of veterinarians to provide the additional oversight needed," says Farm Foundation President Neil Conklin.
The workshops will be Aug. 14 in Raleigh, NC; Aug. 18, Dover, DE; Aug. 20, Albany, NY; Aug. 25, Birmingham, AL; Sept. 9, Flagstaff, AZ; Sept. 11, Amarillo, TX; Sept. 16, Ames, IA; Sept. 28, Denver, CO; Oct. 6, Davis, CA; Oct. 13, Rapid City, SD; Oct. 15, Twin Falls, ID; and Oct. 22, Lexington, KY. Details on each location will be available on the Farm Foundation website.
[ See: http://tinyurl.com/qzduv47 ]
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/p88gtud
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2. New UN guidance on parasite could boost US pork exports, NPPC says
By Spencer Chase
Agri-Pulse.com
July 13, 2015
WASHINGTON - A United Nations standard-setting body for food safety has issued new guidance that the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) says could lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in increased exports of American pork products.
The Codex Alimentarius Commission on Saturday released draft guidelines* for dealing with trichinae, a parasite with a calculated prevalence of 1-in-300 million in the U.S. commercial swine herd. Despite the low occurrence rate, many countries still test fresh chilled U.S. pork for the parasite, and some other countries will only accept frozen or cooked pork as a way to try to avoid the parasite.
[ *See: ftp://ftp.fao.org/codex/reports/reports_2015/REP15_FHe.pdf ]
In a release, Ron Prestage, president of the National Pork Producers Council, said the new guidance "will greatly increase confidence in the safety of pork and protect consumer health while facilitating trade . . . In turn, that will help us get more high-value U.S. pork to foreign destinations."
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/neyvrv2
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3. Branstad signs proclamation extension for avian flu [IA]
LeMars Daily Sentinel
July 13, 2015
DES MOINES -- Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad Monday signed a disaster emergency proclamation extension for 18 Iowa counties, adversely affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, which would assist with disposal and clean-up efforts on affected sites.
Plymouth County is one of the affected counties.
The original proclamation, which was signed June 15, was set to expire on Wednesday.
Full text:
http://www.lemarssentinel.com/story/2212954.html
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4. Tyson investigating claims of animal abuse at chicken farms
Jackie Wattles, CNN
WPTV.com
July 13, 2015
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Tyson Foods said it is investigating claims that chickens raised for the company face brutal treatment and harsh living conditions.
A video released last week by the advocacy group Mercy for Animals showed farm workers throwing crates of baby chickens and leaving injured birds to starve.
In a statement, Tyson said it takes the claims "very seriously," that it is "investigating the matter," and does "not tolerate improper animal treatment."
Mercy for Animals said the footage was captured by a whistleblower working on the farm and is part of its campaign asking consumers to sign a petition and avoid eating meat products.
Full text:
http://www.wptv.com/money/consumer/tyson-investigating-claims-of-animal-abuse-at-chicken-farms
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5. Avoid & survive undercover video situations (Part 2): Policies and training
By Tiffany Dowell
FarmandDairy.com
July 13, 2015
Editor's note: The following column appears in the July 2015 issue of Dairy Herd Management
Read also: Avoid and survive undercover video situations on your farm: Hiring practices
[ See: http://tinyurl.com/q2ewwz2 ]
Last month, we outlined practices a dairy operator can take to avoid hiring undercover activists. This month, we focus on what dairy managers should do after hiring employees with regard to developing written policies and training procedures. With the recent news of another activist undercover investigation at a dairy, this time in Colorado, the importance of this topic cannot be overstated.
It is recommended that dairies put all policies in writing, ensure necessary equipment is available, conduct ongoing training, and monitor employees to be sure policies are followed.
[This article goes on to discuss:
DEVELOP DETAILED ANIMAL CARE AND HANDLING POLICIES.
PROVIDE PROPER EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS
OFFER ONGOING TRAINING
CONSIDER RECORDING/ PHOTOGRAPHY POLICIES
CONDUCT YOUR OWN UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATIONS
ENLIST TRUSTED EMPLOYEES ]
This article is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/qx8gkj8
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6. Three county turkey farms cleared of avian influenza quarantine status [MN]
Swift County Monitor
July 13, 2015
Three of the seven Swift County farms hit by the avian influenza were released from quarantine by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health June 29 and can now start restocking. However, so far, none have.
Of the 102 turkey facilities devastated by the deadly avian disease this spring, 27 have been released from quarantine with 15 reaching restocking agreements so far. No new cases of avian influenza have been reported in Minnesota since June 5.
Farms that were hit by the avian flu can be cleared for restocking once the following processes are completed, according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health: - Affected farms complete the cleaning and disinfecting process; - Environmental samples are taken and test negative for influenza; - Barns complete a 21-day down time; - Producer and animal health officials work together to develop restocking plan.
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/pw65opc
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7. PRRS eradication among highlights of Missouri Swine Health Symposium, July 20
By Jason Vance, University of Missouri Extension
High Plains Journal
July 10, 2015
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome costs the swine industry hundreds of million dollars each year. But groups in several states are working to control and eradicate the disease.
Brent Sandidge from Ham Hill Farms in Marshall, Missouri, will talk about the effort July 20 at the Missouri Swine Health Symposium. Sandidge is a leader of a Saline County group that communicates about swine health and keeps track of pigs entering the area.
"Brent is going to talk about some of the experiences they've had in their area, some success stories of how they help fellow producers and ways they've kept PRRS out of the area," says University of Missouri Extension state swine specialist Tim Safranski.
One goal is to grow this PRRS control area to make it statewide. Safranski says if the group is successful in communicating with one another and educating producers, PRRS could be eradicated from the state.
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/pgtdlqv
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