|
* * * * * * * * * *
1. State veterinarians encourage poultry producers to prepare for HPAI
News Release - Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, & Markets
VTDigger.org
August 3, 2015
State Veterinarians encourage poultry producers and enthusiasts to prepare for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), expected to impact the East Coast fall of 2015 or spring of 2016.
Vermont State Veterinarian, Dr. Kristin Haas, is encouraging poultry owners, producers and enthusiasts to prepare for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which is expected to impact the East Coast in the fall of this year or spring of 2016. Since December 2014, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed the presence of HPAI on more than 200 properties, impacting almost 50 million commercial and backyard birds. While the HPAI outbreak has not yet been identified in Vermont, poultry producers should be familiar with the disease, how it is spread, and preparedness efforts that they can engage in now.
It is important to note that The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the risk to people from this HPAI infection to be low. No human cases of this HPAI virus have been detected in the United States or internationally. Influenza in poultry does not constitute a food safety risk.
The HPAI H5 virus is most commonly spread to domestic poultry by infected waterfowl, through direct contact or contact with their droppings. While waterfowl can carry the disease without becoming sick, the HPAI H5 virus is generally fatal for domestic poultry.
"Domestic poultry are highly susceptible to HPAI H5 virus, which can spread rapidly from bird to bird and typically results in high mortality rates." said Vermont State Veterinarian, Dr. Kristin Hass. "All poultry owners, whether they are backyard hobbyists or commercial producers, should evaluate their farms for risk factors that could contribute to avian influenza occurring on their farms."
Full text:
http://vtdigger.org/2015/08/04/state-veterinarians-encourage-poultry-producers-to-prepare-for-hpai/
********
|
|
2. State Asks Chicken and Turkey Owners to Report Location, Size of Flocks [RI]
By Mark Schieldrop, Patch Staff
Patch.com
August 5, 2015
Got chickens or turkeys? How many? Where are they?
In anticipation of a possible outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, those are the questions the state Department of Environmental Management are asking chicken owners in Rhode Island.
The disease has not been found in Rhode Island but "DEM is taking steps now to control HPAI should it spread to the Ocean State," according to a Wednesday news release. "As part of these preparations the Department is reaching out to all poultry owners, including commercial as well as backyard or hobby breeders, and asking them to voluntarily notify DEM of the location of their poultry and the approximate number and type of birds they possess."
The state has developed a HPAI response plan which lays out the steps that would be taken to protect public and animal health if the disease is detected.
Full text:
http://patch.com/rhode-island/cranston/state-asks-chicken-turkey-owners-report-location-size-flocks-0
********
|
|
3. UF/IFAS Battling a Disease Devastating to Deer Farms and Cows [EHD]
Source Newsroom: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Newswise
August 5, 2015
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- The Florida legislature recently allocated $2 million a year for the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to study Hemorrhagic disease, a virus which affects deer and can cross over into cattle, causing concern among Florida ranchers and prompting UF researchers to look for preventions and a cure.
"For deer farming to remain a viable industry, and to provide food security to the beef industry, Hemorrhagic disease must be controlled," said Samantha Wisely, an associate professor with the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. She is heading up UF/IFAS' research. "Small, family-owned farms are disproportionately affected by Hemorrhagic Disease because they are not able to absorb many losses due to the small profit margin that characterizes their industry."
Florida has nearly 400 deer farms and hunting preserves that breed deer and provide meat, plus hunting opportunities to residents and visiting hunters. More than 318,000 people got a deer-hunting license in Florida in 2014, generating $12.8 million in revenue, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
UF researchers say approximately 1,700 jobs have been created in rural counties throughout the state from this industry. But in 2014, deer farmers in Florida were hit particularly hard by Hemorrhagic disease. These small, family-owned farms suffered at least $30 million in economic losses.
Full text:
http://newswise.com/articles/uf-ifas-battling-a-disease-devastating-to-deer-farms-and-cows
********
|
|
4. Merck partners with National Milk Producers Federation
Feedstuffs
August 5, 2015
Merck Animal Health announced Aug. 5 a partnership with the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), to help ensure a comprehensive, industry-wide approach to employee training and animal care in the dairy industry.
The National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) Animal Care Program, administered by NMPF with support from Dairy Management Inc. covers more than 91% of the nation's milk supply. Through the partnership, dairy producers across the country will have access to tools, resources and workshops available through the Merck Animal Health Dairy C.A.R.E. Initiative, an extension of the Dairy Care365 animal handling training program.
Dairy C.A.R.E. was developed to help producers provide the best animal care by maintaining sound policies, hiring the right people and making sure they are properly trained. It was designed to complement the FARM Animal Care Program, developed in 2009, which establishes a nationwide, verifiable animal well-being program. Going forward, Merck Animal Health will continue to work closely with FARM Animal Care to develop supplemental materials dairy farmers can use to meet the FARM Program's requirements.
Full text:
http://feedstuffs.com/story-merck-partners-national-milk-producers-federation-45-130653
********
|
|
5. With Idaho Law Gone, Attention Turns to Other "Ag-Gag" States
By Luke Runyon
IowaPublicRadio.org
August 5, 2015
Idaho's so-called "ag-gag" law, which outlawed undercover investigations of farming operations, is no more. A judge in the federal District Court for Idaho decided Monday that it was unconstitutional, citing First Amendment protections for free speech.
But what about the handful of other states with similar laws on the books?
Laws in Iowa, Utah, North Dakota, Missouri, Kansas and Montana have also made it illegal for activists to smuggle cameras into industrial animal operations. But now those laws' days could be numbered, according to the lead attorney for the coalition of animal welfare groups that sued the state of Idaho.
"This is a total victory on our two central constitutional claims," says University of Denver law professor Justin Marceau, who represented the plaintiff, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, in the case. "Ag-gag laws violate the First Amendment and Equal Protection Clause. This means that these laws all over the country are in real danger."
"Ag-gag" refers to a variety of laws meant to curb undercover investigations of agricultural operations, often large dairy, poultry and pork farms. The Idaho law criminalized video or audio recording of a farm without the owner's consent, and lying to a farm owner to gain employment there to do an undercover investigation.
Full text:
http://iowapublicradio.org/post/idaho-law-gone-attention-turns-other-ag-gag-states#stream/0
********
|
|
6. UW to Move Ahead with BSL-3 Lab Construction [WY]
Univ. of Wyoming News
August 5, 2015
The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees voted today (Wednesday) to move forward with construction and repairs of UW's biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory.
The action will allow a streamlined approach to the project, rather than the past process that has entailed communication and coordination with the state Department of Administration and Information's Office of Construction Management, the Wyoming Attorney General's Office, and various contractors and consultants.
UW personnel now will direct the project, with funding coming from the state of Wyoming risk pool.
Design development is scheduled for completion in mid-September. Final design and construction documents will be prepared, and then bids for construction will be solicited.
The BSL-3 lab, a 20,000-square-foot addition to the Department of Veterinary Sciences building, will provide ideal conditions for researchers to work with wildlife and livestock diseases including brucellosis, plague, tularemia and Q fever, assuring safety for the researchers and the public.
Source:
http://www.uwyo.edu/uw/news/2015/08/uw-to-move-ahead-with-bsl-3-lab-construction.html
********
|
|
7. Warnick takes the helm at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine [NY]
Cornell CVM News Release
August 1, 2015
Dr. Lorin D. Warnick, a professor of ambulatory and production medicine, took office August 1 as Interim Dean for the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. He was appointed to the post by former Dean Michael Kotlikoff, who has been appointed Provost of Cornell University.
Before becoming Interim Dean, Warnick was Associate Dean for Veterinary Education and Director of the Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA).
"In both capacities he has been an exceptionally thoughtful and effective leader," said Kotlikoff, in announcing his choice. "Lorin and I have worked very closely, and I know that he will provide the college with outstanding leadership."
Full text:
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/news/WarnickThompsontakeoffice.cfm
********
|
|
