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1. Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in Lavaca County Captive White-tailed Deer;Linked to Index Herd [TX]
Texas Animal Health Commission News Release
September 15, 2015
AUSTIN - The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) announced that a captive white-�tailed deer in a Lavaca County deer breeding facility has been confirmed positive for Chronic Wasting Disease(CWD). The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station detected the presence of CWD in samples submitted, and the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa confirmed the findings today.
The newly quarantined Lavaca County facility is a result of testing trace out animals that originated from a Medina County index captive white-tailed deer herd where CWD was first detected on June 30.
CWD was first detected in Texas in 2012 in free-�ranging mule deer in far West Texas in the Hueco Mountains. The Lavaca county herd is the second infected breeder herd detected in Texas.
"The investigation of the index facility in Medina County continues," said Dr. Dee Ellis, TAHC Executive Director. "The TAHC, TPWD and USDA are diligently working with the breeder deer industry to assess disease transmission risks, and to protect Texas' free ranging deer, captive deer and hunting industries."
"TPWD will continue to work with TAHC, USDA and stakeholders representing wildlife conservation and deer breeding interests to implement measures appropriate to protect our state's most popular big game animal, the white-tailed deer," said Carter Smith, TPWD Executive Director.
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2. INFORM: HPAI Biosecurity Self-Assessment and Training Materials
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
September 15, 2015
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has released a "Checklist for Self-Assessment of Enhanced Poultry Biosecurity" and training materials as part of ongoing preparation efforts for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). These documents will assist the poultry industry in implementing effective biosecurity practices. APHIS collaborated with State, academic, and industry experts to develop the checklist and training materials, which are posted on the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association website at http://www.uspoultry.org/animal_husbandry/intro.cfm.
We encourage all commercial operations that produce poultry indoors to use the self-assessment to review and improve their biosecurity plans.
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3. Virginia on high alert for highly pathogenic avian influenza [edited]
Augusta Free Press
September 14, 2015
Dr. Richard Wilkes, State Veterinarian with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, says that Virginia has not yet seen a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza this year, as have many states in the West and Midwest. With cooler fall temperatures and the return of migratory birds along the nation's flyways, however, the risk of finding a positive case is increasing.
"The strain of HPAI that was diagnosed in 22 other states last winter and spring does not like hot weather," Wilkes explained, "and the USDA determined that the disease was introduced there by migratory birds. So after a very brief sigh of relief, we are ramping up our efforts to keep the disease out of Virginia. In order to do this, we need the assistance and cooperation of all of our state's bird owners."
Droppings from migratory waterfowl can contain millions of infectious viral particles and can be introduced accidentally to susceptible poultry species. Poultry that become infected can incubate the virus for days before they show signs of infection. During this period, contact with seemingly healthy birds, equipment, clothing and boots from that farm can unknowingly introduce the virus into a flock. This is why biosecurity is vitally important and where VDACS needs cooperation from bird owners.
Biosecurity
The most important thing bird owners can do to prevent disease is to practice biosecurity at all times. This means taking measures to prevent the introduction of virus. These measures include the following actions:
Limit access - Do not allow visitors near poultry.
Keep it clean - Use dedicated footwear/clothing for feeding/handling poultry. Always wash hands and clean or disinfect clothing/footwear after handling poultry or eggs.
Do not allow poultry in areas where waterfowl could have left droppings.
Do not leave grain or feed in areas accessible to wild birds.
Do not bring the disease home - Only buy chicks from the National Poultry Improvement Program's AI Clean hatcheries; isolate any new additions if unsure of AI Clean status and do not borrow or use equipment from neighbors that may harbor the virus
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4. Tyson Foods Under Pressure After Another Undercover Video
ThePoultrySite.com
September 15, 2015
US - Large US poultry producer Tyson Foods has come under pressure from animal rights campaigners once again following the release of another undercover video.
The video, released by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), allegedly shows scenes inside a Tyson Foods' chicken slaughter plant in Carthage, Texas.
Tyson Foods was previously targeted by undercover videos from another animal welfare organisation, Mercy for Animals.
In a position statement on animal well-being, Tyson Foods says: "Consumers deserve to know their food is produced responsibly, using established best practices for animal handling. At Tyson Foods, we take that responsibility very seriously."
ALDF said it has asked the Attorney General of the State of Delaware, where Tyson Foods is incorporated, to investigate and sanction the company.
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5. Volunteers, Vets Race To Save Pets, Horses, Livestock, From Raging Valley Fire [CA]
SanFrancisco.cbslocal.com
September 14, 2015
CALISTOGA (CBS SF) - Through the devastation and destruction of the Valley Fire there is a bright spot of hope when it comes to the Herculean effort on the part of vets and volunteers to save pets, horses and livestock.
As of Monday morning, the Valley Fire had burned 61,000 acres and only 5 percent contained according to Cal Fire.
The fire started Saturday and exploded in size in just a matter of hours. One resident told KPIX it spread so fast they had to paint their phone number on their horses hooves and set them free in order for them to get out of harm's way in time.
Fortunately Lake County has come together to help people who lost their homes save their pets.
All weekend, an army of volunteers and local vets were helping to treat the animals whose owners had to flee - many with only the clothes on their backs.
They've set up an evacuation center in Calistoga catering to pets of all shapes and sizes - calves, cows, horses, cats and dogs.
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6. USDA Offers Help to Fire-Affected Farmers and Ranchers
USDA News Release
September 15, 2015
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers and ranchers affected by the recent wildfires in Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington State that USDA has programs to assist with their recovery efforts.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) can assist farmers and ranchers who lost livestock, grazing land, fences or eligible trees, bushes and vines as a result of a natural disaster. FSA administers a suite of safety-net programs to help producers recover from eligible losses, including the Livestock Indemnity Program, the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program, and the Tree Assistance Program.
In addition, the FSA Emergency Conservation Program provides funding and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. Producers located in counties that received a primary or contiguous disaster designation are eligible for low-interest emergency loans to help them recover from production and physical losses. Compensation is also available to producers who purchased coverage through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, which protects non-insurable crops against natural disasters that result in lower yields, crop losses or prevented planting.
"Wildfires have caused devastating losses for many farmers and ranchers," said FSA Administrator Val Dolcini. "Over the past several years, wildfires have increased in severity, intensity and cost as the fire season has grown longer, and drought and increased temperatures contribute to dangerous conditions. Natural disasters such as wildfires are unavoidable, but USDA has strong safety-net programs to help producers get back on their feet."
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7. Deer-trafficking scheme nets record $1.6 million fine
By Alan Johnson
The Columbus Dispatch
September 15, 2015
The largest fine and restitution for a wildlife crime in U.S. history -- $1.6 million -- has been ordered in an Ohio case involving trafficking in whitetail deer.
Benjamin N. Chason, 61, of Climax, Ga., was sentenced in U.S. District Court for violations of the Lacey Act, a 115-year-old federal wildlife protection law.
Chason's fine and restitution is the largest sum ever levied against an individual in a wildlife case, according to U.S. Attorney Carter M. Stewart's office. The sentence was unsealed Monday.
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