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1. Program to help livestock producers plan, prepare for natural disasters [MT]
By Sarah Brown
The Prairie Star
January 13, 2016
BOZEMAN, Mont. - In a natural disaster, how can you prevent flooding, fire or power failures from harming your livestock and horses? During an emergency, how can you safely transport, communicate and obtain medical assistance for livestock? Who will evacuate, feed and identify them?
Most people, even farmers and ranchers, have no idea.
Fortunately, others do. A number of experts will be sharing their answers to these and other questions at the 1st Annual Animal Disaster Responder Training to be held in Bozeman at the Gran Tree Inn on Jan. 21 from 8 a.m. to 5.p.m.
The training is sponsored by the Montana Beef Council, the Montana Veterinary Medical Association, the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, as well as the Montana Department of Livestock, the Montana Stock Growers Association and Montana State University Extension.
"It's about being prepared with our animals," said Dr. Jeanne Rankin, president-elect of the Montana Veterinary Medical Association. "It's about educating people to be part of the response to disasters."
The training is for anyone interested in responding to livestock during disasters, including, local disaster coordinators, Extension agents, veterinarians, technicians and, especially, producers.
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2. Program created to help researchers market their discoveries
JAVMA News
February 1, 2016
Posted January 13, 2016
The Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences is getting $1.2 million to create a nationwide training program that will help animal researchers learn to transition research discoveries, such as vaccines or diagnostics, to the marketplace. The From Bench to Shop program also is expected to facilitate the federal government's transition from the Plum Island Animal Disease Center to the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility.
The veterinary college and the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases, also based at Texas A&M, were awarded the three-year contract by the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, the research and development arm of the department. The contract was officially awarded Sept. 25, 2015, and there will be 16 trainees.
The program targets graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career faculty interested in understanding the business regulations, federal and international processes, and research requirements for taking basic or applied high-consequence, transboundary animal disease research through the difficult process of translation to commercial use, according to the program's website. Trainees will earn a training certificate in scientific business development and management.
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3. Two people exposed to rabies after York Co. horse tests positive [SC]
WSOCtv.com
January 13, 2016
YORK COUNTY, S.C. - Two people are being treated after being exposed to rabies in the Rock Hill area after a horse tested positive for the disease, the Department of Health and Environmental Control reported Wednesday.
The people were exposed on Jan. 7 after providing husbandry care to a horse. It first appeared to be lame but then exhibited aggressive behavior, officials said. The horse was euthanized on Jan. 8 and was confirmed to have rabies on Monday.
The law does not require owners of agricultural animals to vaccinate for rabies; however, rabies vaccines for cows, horses and sheep have been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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4. Game and Fish seeks additional public comments on draft of updated chronic wasting disease plan
Wyoming Game and Fish
Daily Rocket Miner
January 13, 2016
CHEYENNE - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is continuing to update its plan for managing chronic wasting disease (CWD). After one round of public comments Game and Fish is making adjustments to its draft of the CWD management plan and will soon start a second round of public comments.
CWD is a fatal neurological disease of deer, elk and moose, which was first detected in wild populations in Wyoming in 1987. The plan will not be voted on by Wyoming Game and Fish Commission during its January 28-29, 2016 meeting as originally planned in order to allow time for additional review of public input and associated plan revisions. At the January 2016 Commission meeting, Commissioners will be updated on the plan revisions that have occurred through the first round of public commenting.
The CWD plan focuses on disease management, research, public information and funding. The draft calls for the continuation of robust surveillance and public involvement, as well as continuing to invest in research here in Wyoming.
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5. OIE gains new director general
JAVMA News
February 1, 2016
Posted January 13, 2016
Dr. Monique Eloit, a former chief veterinary officer for France, became the seventh director general of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Jan. 1.
The start of her five-year term followed the departure of Dr. Bernard Vallat after 15 years in the organization's top office. In an OIE announcement, Dr. Eloit pledged to enhance the OIE's visibility and performance through stronger control of animal diseases and new partnerships and collaborations on public health and food safety.
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6. Groups seek to overturn NC 'ag-gag' law
By Matthew Burns
WRAL.com
January 13, 2016
Greensboro, N.C. - A group of animal rights and consumer protection organizations filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday seeking to have a state law that allows employers to sue workers who conduct undercover investigations to expose questionable or illegal activity declared unconstitutional.
Lawmakers passed House Bill 405 over Gov. Pat McCrory's veto in June. Proponents say the law protects private property rights, while opponents dubbed it "ag-gag" legislation, arguing that it muzzles whistleblowers.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the Animal Legal Defense Fund and Farm Sanctuary have all conducted undercover investigations that have revealed animal abuse and questionable food production practices at facilities in North Carolina, according to the lawsuit. The Center for Food Safety, Food & Water Watch and the Government Accountability Project said they each depend on facts supplied by whistleblowers so they can disseminate the information publicly.
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