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1. California Enacts Strictest Animal Antibiotic Law in the U.S.
By John Tozzi
Bloomberg
October 11, 2015
California just passed a bill to sharply limit the use of antibiotics in farm animals, making it the first state to ban the routine use of the drugs in animal agriculture.
The law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Saturday bans medically important antibiotics to promote growth in cows, chickens, pigs, and other animals raised for profit. Meat producers will only be able to administer the drugs with the approval of a veterinarian when animals are sick, or to prevent infections when there's an "elevated risk." They can't use the drugs "in a regular pattern." The policy is more restrictive than the FDA's national guidelines, which don't restrict use for disease prevention.
Overuse of antibiotics, both in medicine and in animal agriculture, contributes to the rise of drug-resistant superbugs that kill 23,000 Americans each year and sicken 2 million. Brown vetoed a weaker bill last year. The new law is a win for consumer and environmental advocates who have sought tougher rules for years.
The state's meat and poultry associations stayed neutral on the bill. No one was squawking about heavy-handed regulation or government interference. Just seven lawmakers voted against it.
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2. Two New Equine Cases of WNV Reported in Kentucky
By The Horse Staff
TheHorse.com
October 9, 2015
The Kentucky State Veterinarian's office announced Oct. 1 that two additional horses-one from Crittenden County and one from Nelson County-have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), bringing the commonwealth's total for the year to eight.
In a statement Kentucky Equine Programs manager E.S. "Rusty" Ford said the Crittenden horse is an 8-year-old Haflinger with an unknown WNV vaccination history. The mare is in stable condition. The Nelson horse is an 8-month-old Belgian filly with no WNV vaccination history.
In 2014 Kentucky confirmed four cases of WNV in horses on four premises.
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3. Order suspending poultry shows in South Dakota lifted
Associated Press
Sioux City Journal
October 9, 2015
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota's Animal Industry Board has rescinded an order that suspended poultry shows statewide.
The order was implemented in May due to an outbreak of bird flu, and affected such exhibitions as the State Fair. It was rescinded Thursday.
The Animal Industry Board says avian influenza was last detected in the country in mid-June. Since then, nine of the 10 affected farms in South Dakota have restocked with poultry.
Poultry owners are still encouraged to be vigilant for signs of illness in their birds, and to contact their veterinarian if they observe unusual death loss or illness.
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4. USDA Offers Assistance to Carolina Farmers and Ranchers Affected by Floods
USDA Office of Communications Bulletin
October 9, 2015
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers and ranchers affected by the recent floods in North and South Carolina that USDA has programs to assist with their recovery efforts. State and county staff in USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) stand ready to help.
"The catastrophic flooding in the Carolinas has caused unimaginable hardship for many producers, including farmers who are waiting for fields to dry so they can assess the damage and harvest what is salvageable of their crops," said FSA Administrator Val Dolcini. "I encourage producers who experienced losses to take advantage of available disaster assistance programs and loans to alleviate part of the financial burden caused by devastating floods."
Dolcini adds that farmers and ranchers should contact their FSA office to set an appointment during this busy season. He said it is important to learn what documents can help the local office expedite assistance, such as farm records, receipts and pictures of damages or losses.
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5. Major Dairy Company Accused Of Animal Abuse [TX]
Houston.CBSLocal.com
October 9, 2015
PARIS, Texas (CBS Houston) - A major dairy company, which oversees thousands of cows in Texas, is being accused of animal abuse.
Daisy Farms says they treat their cows like pets, giving each an individual name and individual attention, but the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) thinks otherwise.
Daisy Farms is run by Ben Sokolsky and his father, David. It's one of two companies that falls under the Daisy Brand, which is the nation's largest sour cream manufacturer with an estimated $470.4 million in sales from 2014, as reported by CBS News.
"We treat these cows like pets - our number one priority is milk-healthy cows," Sokolsky told CBS News.
PETA investigated the farm's operations after a farm worker of more than a year contacted the organization. The former employee worked mostly with calves and heifers and sent PETA disturbing footage.
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6. Horse Groups Endorse AHC's Welfare Code of Practice
By Edited Press Release
TheHorse.com
October 10, 2015
More than 50 equine-related organizations have now endorsed the American Horse Council's (AHC) Welfare Code of Practice, designed to "put the horse first."
The 10 most recent supporters include the U.S. Polo Association; American Warmblood Registry; North American Shortpony Registry; Missouri Quarter Horse Association; Michigan, Minnesota, New York and South Carolina Horse Councils; Pal-O-Mine Equine Center; and the Virginia Horse Center Foundation.
The AHC Welfare Code of Practice is a broad set of principles designed to establish good welfare procedures for organizations to follow to "put the horse first." The code outlines in broad strokes what principles organizations are committed to in breeding, training, competing, transporting, enjoying, and caring for horses. The code encourages everyone to consider the health, safety, and welfare of their horses in all aspects of their activities, including social and ethical issues.
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7. Maine health officials identify common E. coli strain that sickened 2 toddlers
Staff Report
CentralMaine.com
October 9, 2015
AUGUSTA - State health officials said Friday they positively identified the common strain of E. coli that led to the illness of one toddler and the death of another after they both visited the same petting zoo at the Oxford County Fair last month.
"Late this morning Maine's health and environmental testing laboratory identified the strain of E. coli in these two cases," Dr. Siiri Bennett of the Maine Center for Disease Control said during a news conference Friday afternoon. "The strain, known as O111, is one of many strains that can be responsible for an illness" such hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, a particular strain of E. coli.
Related Headlines
"The strain and molecular typing from each patient was identical, making it highly likely that the cases acquired the illness from the same source," Bennett said. "We cannot say with certainty what that common exposure may have been. We are continuing our investigation, which becomes more extensive when a molecular match like this exists between two cases. Since we know that the Oxford County fairground is a place where both children visited, environmental samples were collected and are being tested."
Bennett said state health officials collected and are testing environmental samples from the main barn, outside animal pens and the livestock area for the petting zoo at the fairgrounds.
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