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1. USDA-APHIS releases highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epidemiology report.
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
July 24, 2015
July 21, 2015-The United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today released an updated highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epidemiology report.
The report has been updated to include:
interpretation of data from 81 turkey flocks investigated for HPAI;
preliminary results from a case-control study conducted in layer operations in Iowa and Nebraska; and,
preliminary results of a study of wildlife near affected and unaffected premises.
The updated report can be read at:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/poultry/downloads/Epidemiologic-Analysis-July-15-2015.pdf
Source: http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/1110adc
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2. If you own a chicken, North Carolina wants to know
Jeff Jeffrey, Staff Writer
Triangle Business Journal
July 24, 2015
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is ramping up its efforts to prepare for a potential outbreak of highly pathogenic avian flu.
The department is now requiring all poultry owners to register with the department - regardless of the number of birds they own - as part of an effort to guard against an outbreak of avian influenza.
The department says requiring all chicken owners to register for an NCFarmID number will make it easier for the department to alert them of an outbreak. An online sign-up form will be available after Aug. 1, the department says. The order was issued by state veterinarian Doug Meckes.
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/otm9kl4
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3. Md. announces strict precautions to block approaching bird flu
By Josh Hicks
Washington Post
July 24, 2015
Maryland officials announced actions this week to stave off a bird-flu virus they expect to hit the state in the fall, banning poultry exhibitions later this summer and issuing a quarantine order for hatching eggs and poultry from outside the state.
Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder said in a dire warning to flock owners and managers that the virus "could very well bring economic disaster to our largest agricultural sector" without the precautions.
"I strongly encourage all flock owners and managers to take this disease as seriously as they have ever taken anything and to practice enhanced biosecurity at all times," Bartenfelder said.
The agriculture department said it will prohibit poultry exhibitions at all agricultural fairs and shows after Aug. 25 and require all hatching eggs and poultry from outside the state to be quarantined and tested within 10 days if they do not come from certified clean sources. The quarantine order is in effect until at least the end of June next year.
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/p2uheav
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4. First Colorado Horse of 2015 Infected with WNV
By Edited Press Release
TheHorse.com
July 24, 2015
A horse in Boulder County has been diagnosed with West Nile Virus (WNV). This is the first confirmed case of WNV in livestock for 2015.
This case was diagnosed by Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Fort Collins.
"Strict insect control is an important factor to inhibit the transmission of West Nile virus," said State Veterinarian Keith Roehr, DVM. "I encourage livestock owners to keep an eye out for standing water for mosquito populations."
Full text:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/36167/first-colorado-horse-of-2015-infected-with-wnv
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5. Additional WNV, EEE Cases Reported in Texas Horses [edited]
By Edited Press Release
TheHorse.com
July 24, 2015
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) has confirmed West Nile virus (WNV) in a horse located in south Texas and additional cases of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in horses residing in east Texas.
This is not the first case of WNV in Texas in 2015; the first recorded positive was in a Houston County horse on July 2. However, the most recent positive comes from a horse in Atascosa County, south of San Antonio.
Additionally, more Texas horses have tested positive for EEE. The first case was reported on July 13; the total positive EEE cases now number five.
Full text:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/36162/additional-wnv-eee-cases-reported-in-texas-horses
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6. TAHC Releases All Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) [TX]
Texas Animal Health Commission News Release
July 24, 2015
AUSTIN - Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) officials have released all premises quarantined for Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) in Texas. The final premises was in Ward County, approximately 30 miles north of Fort Stockton, TX.
The two affected premises in Reeves and Pecos County were previously released.
Several states and countries may still impose enhanced entry requirements on VS susceptible livestock coming from Texas. Producers are encouraged to contact the state of destination for official requirements. For international export information, the USDA Veterinary Services office in Austin, Texas should be contacted.
The TAHC advises livestock owners to continue practicing VS preventative measures by minimizing livestock exposure to sand flies and black flies, which are known to transport the virus through biting.
Full text:
http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/news/pr/2015/2015-07-24_VSUpdate.pdf
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7. USDA Measures Feral Swine Impact on U.S. Farms
USDA News Release
July 21, 2015
WASHINGTON -The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) in cooperation with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is surveying U.S. crop producers to measure the impact feral swine have on their crops and livestock.
"We will collect data about feral swine to estimate the extent of damage these animals may have caused to agriculture in 11 states," says NASS Census and Survey Division Director Barbara Rater. "We thank producers in advance for their attention to this survey. The responses, which are always anonymous, can help inform policy and management actions about feral swine."
"We believe feral swine are a significant concern for farmers in many states," said Dr. Stephanie A. Shwiff, project leader of the APHIS' Economic Research of Human Wildlife Conflict project. "With this survey, we begin the process of quantifying the extent of the problem, which should help us determine the best solution."
Feral swine are an invasive species that eat and destroy many field crops, such as corn, milo (sorghum), and rice. They also prey upon young livestock and other small animals. Feral swine are known to carry numerous diseases that are transferrable to livestock, humans, pets, and wildlife. This survey marks the first time USDA is surveying producers to determine the extent of feral swine damage.
Almost 10,000 farmers across 11 states (Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas) will hear from NASS' interviewers. The survey asks crop producers if they've noticed feral swine around their crops and livestock and if any of the crop damage or livestock losses are attributed to feral swine.
Full text:
http://www.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/2015/07_21_2015.asp
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8. Senate moves on COOL fix
By Jacqui Fatka
Feedstuffs
July 23, 2015
The Senate has competing approaches to fixing the country-of-origin labeling law which has been found non-compliant by the World Trade Organization in an attempt to stave off retaliatory action from Canada and Mexico.
An amendment filed to the highway bill by Senate Agriculture Committee chairman Pat Roberts (R., Kan) would repeal country of origin labeling requirements for beef, pork and poultry and prevent trade retaliation from Canada and Mexico while a bipartisan group of senators proposed a voluntary country-of-origin labeling bill which would allow for voluntary labeling of beef, pork and chicken.
In May 2015, the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled for the fourth time that the United States' mandatory COOL law violates international trade agreements. The WTO is undergoing an arbitration process to determine the level of retaliation that Canada and Mexico will be authorized to implement. Both countries say they intend to implement retaliatory tariffs should the U.S. fail to address the current COOL law. Canada has said it will seek more than $3 billion and Mexico will seek $650 million in countervailing duties.
U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R., N.D.) and Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member Debbie Stabenow (D., Mich.), introduced the Trade Enhancement Act of 2015 which repeals the mandatory COOL law which has been found to be trade distorting by the WTO and replace it with a voluntary program. The bill maintains the integrity of the label, ensuring that the product is actually "born, raised and slaughtered in the United States," rather than just processed in the U.S.
Full text:
http://feedstuffs.com/story-senate-moves-cool-fix-45-130230
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