ANIMALNET OCTOBER 5, 1998 Tsitika River Yields More Farm Salmon Saving Industry; Round Table Pitches Options For Aquaculture Health Department To Maintain Monkey Colony Hold The Hog-Plant Hoopla: Brandon Won't Boom Pork Producers Say Pact Is Small Step: Bitter Feelings Remain In Wake Of Blockade U.S. States Agree To Stop Truck Harassment Dan Glickman And U.S. Trade Representative; Joint Statement By Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman And U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky On Efforts To Resolve U.S.-Canada Border Dispute Lingering Exxon Oil Harms Salmon, Scientists Say US Scientist Reveals Plan To Clone Himself Tourist Rush Poses Risk To Survival Of Mountain Gorillas Regular Jabs `Can Kill Pets Fast Action Needed On Anti-Rabies Law Farmers welcome EU aid announcement Safeway and Seattle veterinarians helping to educate students Country -- animal Ellsworth elected international chair AnimalNet is produced by researchers at the Agri-Food Risk Management and Communication Project at the University of Guelph, is edited by Wendy Powell (dpowell@uoguelph.ca) and Amanda Whitfield (awhitfie@uoguelph.ca), and is supported by the Ontario Cattlemen's Association, the U.S. National Pork Producers, U.S. National Food Processors Association, Dairy Farmers of Canada, Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited (Canada), the U.S. National Cattlemens Beef Association, Canadian Animal Health Institute, The Rutgers University Food Safety Extension Program, National Cattlemans Beef Association, Food Indsutry Environmental Network, Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors and the Agricultural Adaptation Council (CanAdapt Program). archived at: http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/courses/ansc481/animal_net.html TSITIKA RIVER YIELDS MORE FARM SALMON October 2, 1998 Times Colonist (Victoria) C1 Susan Danard More Atlantic salmon have, according to this story, been collected from a northern Vancouver Island river, renewing calls from environmentalists for tighter regulations of fish farms. Ted Down, manager of the Fisheries Ministry's conservation section was cited as saying that provincial biologists collected another eight samples of Atlantic salmon on the Tsitika River this week, adding, ``Do we run around at this point and panic about it? Clearly not. Are we seriously concerned? Yes.'' Jim Fulton, executive director of the David Suzuki Foundation, was quoted Thursday saying,``The weight of evidence suggest this is not an overblown issue.... This is a situation that should be setting off alarm bells in Victoria and Ottawa,''adding that the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans should revise regulations that allow salmon eggs to be imported into B.C. from sites that had episodes of disease. Environmentalists fear the foreign fish will spread disease and compete with Pacific salmon for food and habitat. The David Suzuki Foundation is, according to this story, also calling on B.C. to require that the open-net cage system used by some salmon farmers be replaced with a closed tank system by Jan. 1, 2000. Down was cited as saying that biologists need to do more studies on the Atlantic salmon samples before determining the level of threat to native fish species, adding, ``We have preliminary evidence that Atlantic salmon may have spawned in a wild river in B.C. That doesn't mean they have established a population.'' The province has, according to this story, maintained a moratorium on aquaculture operations since 1995 because of a number of concerns and unanswered questions about the industry. SAVING INDUSTRY; ROUND TABLE PITCHES OPTIONS FOR AQUACULTURE October 1, 1998 The Fredericton Daily Gleaner C8 A government think-tank was cited as recommending that responsibility for the environmental monitoring of aquaculture operations needs to be immediately clarified. This would serve to effectively manage the industry's impact on the environment. The 1989 memorandum of understanding between the federal and provincial fisheries departments did not specifically address this issue. The Premier's Round Table on Environment and Economy has, according to this story, submitted 14 recommendations to Premier Camille Theriault to support the long-term sustainable development of the fin fish aquaculture industry in the south west Bay of Fundy. Round table members recommended to the premier the aquaculture sector be maintained at present or reduced levels, until such time as environmentally sustainable assimilative capacities are reached and better understood. Recognizing the significant impact of fish farming and processing activities on the Bay of Fundy, round table members recommended the need to establish performance standards and compliance and enforcement policies in conjunction with all stakeholders. In doing so, they recommended the establishment of a fee structure, to finance the development and ongoing control of the industry, which would reward good environmental practices while minimizing any increases in the already high costs of production. Recommendations were, according to this story, developed following discussions with a broad range of interested parties, including both the traditional and aquaculture fisheries sectors, scientific authorities, environmental interests and federal and provincial ministry representatives. In developing their recommendations to the premier, round table members recognized the importance of the assimilative capacity of the Bay of Fundy, the multi-use conflicts which presently exist in the area and the need to reduce waste discharges and other inputs to the ecosystem, thereby improving fish farm outputs and ecosystem health. Members endorsed the involvement of all stakeholders in addressing these concerns. They were also cited as endorsing the development of policies and procedures which reward good environmental practices for the long- term sustainability of the resource. Of equal importance, they recognized the need for all the stakeholders to have an equal role in the solution. HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO MAINTAIN MONKEY COLONY October 2, 1998 The Saskatoon StarPhoenix B7 The Canadian Health Department has, according to this story, decided to maintain its colony of 750 monkeys and improve their housing while seeking to drum up greater research interest in the animals. Rod Raphael of the department's health protection branch was cited in an interview Thursday, saying that breeding at the colony will be halted but there is no plan to kill the animals or return them to the wild. The monkeys are being moved from individual cages into group housing as recommended last year by an expert panel. The department's surveys have found low overall demand for research monkeys but there is interest in a few key areas such as infectious disease. HOLD THE HOG-PLANT HOOPLA: BRANDON WON'T BOOM October 4, 1998 Winnipeg Free Press A1 Helen Fallding Regional Reporter BRANDON - Following the unprecedented hoopla surrounding the construction of the new Maple Leaf Meats hog plant in Brandon, the economic forecast is, according to this story, calling for more modest expectations. Earl Backman, who's part of a team of experts trying to predict the impact of the new hog plant, due to open next summer and head of the Brandon Regional Health Authority and former city manager, was quoted as saying, ``I'm just trying to caution people from a disappointment when they don't see an explosion. I'm one of the city's biggest boosters in trying to make it grow, but we shouldn't let ourselves get overtaken by enthusiasm,'' adding that Brandon appears headed for a period of modest growth. PORK PRODUCERS SAY PACT IS SMALL STEP: BITTER FEELINGS REMAIN IN WAKE OF BLOCKADE October 3, 1998 The Montreal Gazette A6 SEAN GORDON Clement Pouliot, president of the Quebec pork producers'association, was cited as saying that though it's a deal that could provide financial breathing room for the province's beleaguered pork producers, Thursday's pact is only a small step toward dissipating the producers' harsh feelings. Embittered over proposed changes to their income equalization plan, the producers released pigs onto a section of Highway 20 two weeks ago, creating a three-day blockade in the hopes of forcing the government into holding talks. Pouliot was quoted as saying, "We're relieved it's settled, but it could take a few weeks to get over the anger and repair the wounds as far as the producers are concerned. Let's not forget, to be taken off the highway in the manner we were was humiliating and hurtful." Agriculture Minister Guy Julien was quoted as saying, "In all conflicts there are hurt feelings. This government is committed to avoiding that and these types of situations." Still, Pouliot joined Julien yesterday in welcoming the tentative agreement, which will, according to this story, see the government ante up $30 million between now and April 1, 1999, to help compensate those farmers who have suffered after international markets dried up earlier this year. Julien was quoted as saying, "We have arrived at an understanding, I believe, that will satisfy everyone." Further negotiations will begin in the next few weeks, which both sides expect will result in a new income-stabilization agreement when the deal expires in April. Under the present formula, the government contributes two-thirds of the fund while producers chip in one-third of the roughly $50 million, which will be needed this year. U.S. STATES AGREE TO STOP TRUCK HARASSMENT October 2, 1998 >From a press release OTTAWA -- The Government of Canada welcomes the agreement by the governors of South Dakota and other northern American states to terminate the harassment of Canadian truckers and the obstruction of access of Canadian cattle, hogs and grain to the United States. For the past two weeks, South Dakota has been blocking Canadian trucks carrying livestock and grain. Other states, including North Dakota, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana and Wyoming have increased inspections of Canadian trucks. "I am pleased that the U.S. federal government has intervened to stop the harassment, " said International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi. As a result of this, the Government of Canada has suspended our request for consultations under the North American Free Trade Agreement and World Trade Organization dispute settlement processes. However, Canada has advised the U.S. that it will reactivate the consultations immediately if any U.S. state again restricts or obstructs access of Canadian agri-food products. "Canada took the unprecedented step of requesting consultations under both the NAFTA and WTO to emphasize to the U.S. government that it must live up to its international obligations, " Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief said. "The states' agreement to stop harassing trucks opens the way for the two federal governments to resume the discussions we have been having to address issues the industry has identified as trade irritants or potential irritants. " "Canada and the U.S. are each others best customers, " said Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board Ralph Goodale. "We expect the U.S. to fully honour their trade obligations and we will be both vigilant and rigorous in defending Canadas rights and interests. " Minister Vanclief said Canada expects officials from the two federal governments will meet no later than Oct. 8 to begin discussions. "The American administration has indicated a number of issues they want to address, and we have our own issues that concern Canada and Canadian exporters, " the Minister said. DAN GLICKMAN AND U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE; JOINT STATEMENT BY AGRICULTURE SECRETARY DAN GLICKMAN AND U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE CHARLENE BARSHEFSKY ON EFFORTS TO RESOLVE U.S.-CANADA BORDER DISPUTE October 2, 1998 USDA Press Release No. 0403.98 Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman and U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky announced today that the United States and Canada have agreed to engage in intensive discussions on a wide range of issues affecting farmers and ranchers in both countries. The discussions will begin next week with a view toward finding expeditious solutions to these issues. Secretary Glickman and Ambassador Barshefsky issued the following joint statement: "The Administration is very concerned about the underlying severe economic conditions that persist in many areas of the U.S. agricultural industry. The Administration is also highly concerned about Canada's agricultural trade policies and practices. We have said again and again that Canada must address these issues in an open and constructive manner. "We believe that Canada's decision to open a comprehensive dialogue with us on agricultural trade issues and to suspend its WTO and NAFTA trade actions is a constructive step toward resolving our concerns. "We have had an on-going dialogue with members of Congress and Governors from a number of States where agricultural producers have been particularly hard hit, and we are also encouraged by their actions to suspend a series of additional inspection procedures as we undertake this dialogue with Canadian officials." LINGERING EXXON OIL HARMS SALMON, SCIENTISTS SAY Oct. 4 /98 Reuters Yereth Rosen ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Government scientists were cited as saying that lingering oil from the 1989 grounding of the Exxon Valdez supertanker in Prince William Sound will kill or stunt Alaskan pink salmon for generations to come. Jeffrey Short, a scientist with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), was quoted as saying, "Those buried oil pockets are sort of like land mines," ready and able to release poison. At a conference here on Saturday, Short and other NMFS researchers presented their findings, which were promptly rejected as flawed by scientists hired by Exxon. Federal researchers were cited as saying that despite a massive cleanup of the 10.1-million-gallon (38-million-litre) oil spill, the salmon is still in jeopardy and will be into the 21st Century. They were cited as saying that the long-lasting hydrocarbon components of the crude oil will cause chronic harm to successive salmon generations. NMFS scientist Ron Heintz was cited as saying that laboratory tests, which simulated the stream environments in Prince William Sound, showed oil pollution in concentrations as low as one part per billion stunted pink salmon growth and caused other chronic problems, adding, "Obviously, the very low oil concentrations have a variety of effects over a long period of time." Scientists hired by Exxon were cited as disputing the government findings. They insisted that there were few or no adverse effects to salmon from the 1989 disaster. Ernest Brannon, a University of Idaho scientist hired by the oil company, was cited as saying that the government scientists used poor techniques to collect salmon eggs in their research. US SCIENTIST REVEALS PLAN TO CLONE HIMSELF Oct. 4 /98 Electronic Telegraph Catherine Milner An American scientist who intends to clone himself in an attempt to prove that genetic engineering can be a good thing, was cited as saying that in the future he hopes to make as many as 500 human clones a year. Dr Richard Seed, a Harvard biologist, was cited as saying that any attempts to stop the progress of science are pointless, and that people should embrace the benefits of cloning rather than worrying about its negative aspects, adding, "Parliament can't stop it. Congress can't stop it. It's inevitable and its speed is not going to be slowed down either. We are able to do this, we will repeat it, and try to make 100, 200, 500 clones a year." TOURIST RUSH POSES RISK TO SURVIVAL OF MOUNTAIN GORILLAS Oct. 4 /98 Electronic Telegraph Clare Pillinger The world's last remaining mountain gorillas are, according to this story, under threat from over-exposure to tourism and unscrupulous tour companies. Only about 600 mountain gorillas, immortalised in the film Gorillas In The Mist starring Sigourney Weaver, remain in the mountainous forests on the border of Uganda, Rwanda and the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo.. Until recently, authorised visits to the gorilla groups were well organised and governed by strict rules. However, gorilla-viewing trips to Rwanda and the Congo have been suspended due to security risks. Liz Macfie, the project manager for the International Gorilla Conservation Programme, was quoted as saying, "With so many people chasing so few permits, there is a lot of opportunity for corruption. Increases in the number of tourists will increase the risks to the gorillas. We do not want tourism, which is the very thing that has saved the mountain gorillas from extinction, to be the action that ultimately wipes them out." REGULAR JABS `CAN KILL PETS Oct. 4 /98 PA News Lucie Morris Pet owners who have, according to this story, their animals regularly vaccinated may be killing them with kindness, according to a new survey. Research by Canine Health Concern shows higher than normal levels of distemper, allergic reactions, epilepsy and even brain damage in dogs which have annual injections.. In the survey involving 4,000 dog owners, out of those which became ill two thirds did so within three months of having a vaccination. Catherine O'Driscoll, from Derbyshire, the group's founding member, began her research after, according to this story, losing her three healthy dogs after their regular boosters. Boosters contain a number of vaccines to combat different diseases, some of which are no longer a major threat to pet in the UK, according to Mrs O'Driscoll. She was quoted as telling tomorrow night's World in Action on ITV, "We have phone calls every day from people crying and sobbing or asking how they can get help for their dog which has epilepsy or cancer. Sometimes it takes me an hour to open the post from people concerned about their dogs, cats or horses who are ill and suspect the vaccines." However, Ted Chandler, president of the British Veterinary Association tells the programme he believes the risk is minimal, was quoted as saying, "The level of reactions we get to vaccines are incredibly small. We are talking about something in the region of 00.01%, one in many thousands," adding that people should not be scared or worried about side effects of vaccines on the pets. On the same programme a leading British veterinary scientist was cited as saying that feeding pets processed foods can also lead to health problems. Many vets recommend a diet of tinned and dried processed foods, a business worth 1.5 billion in the UK each year. Sue Penman, founding president of the British Veterinary Dental Association, was cited as saying that it can cause huge problems, and not only with teeth, adding, "What we're tending to find now in the developed world where people and their pets are eating a processed food diet, is that there's a disgusting increase in cancer, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis - all those things that we describe as degenerative diseases." World in Action also reveals the ingredients which, it is claimed, have been used in some pet foods made in Britain. Ground up teeth, straw, feathers, animal heads complete with ear tags, feet and bones have found their way into British pet foods, according to their evidence. FAST ACTION NEEDED ON ANTI-RABIES LAW October 5, 1998 The British Times In this letter from Mrs Barbara Locher she is quoted as saying, Whilst I sympathise with Brigadier J. D. Masters for his unpleasant experiences with anti-rabies injections (letter, September 30), I must point out that conditions in post-war Burma and Germany were vastly different from those in today's Europe. Scientists developed an absolutely safe vaccine some years ago and we in Western Europe are obliged by law to have our pets immunised annually from the age of six months. This letter goes on to explain that in her article, "Sentenced to six months in solitary" (Weekend, September 26), Mary Arnold suggests that German holidaymakers are allowed to take foundling animals straight back to Germany. This is not so: animals must have had their rabies injection at least 30 days before date of entry. In Britain's case this will be six months, so holidaymakers will still not be able to bring stray animals back with them. The author cannot believe it is necessary, as the MAFF suggests, to take three years to set up the new system. Is this not rather a sop to quarantine kennel owners to enable them to make money out of pet owners for as long as possible? The Agriculture Minister has stated that innoculation and microchip registration will be at least as effective in keeping rabies out of Britain as quarantine, yet he expects us to go on paying outrageously high kennel charges to keep our perfectly healthy and properly vaccinated pets in quarantine. In this letter to The British Times from Dr S. S. Bakhshi, she is quoted as saying, Sir, Brigadier Masters draws attention to the likely reaction of those bitten by a dog after the change of the quarantine laws. Stray dogs will pose a particular problem. For instance, what should children do when faced with one? Will RSPCA officers and local council dog wardens continue to operate as they do now? They would at least need pre-exposure anti-rabies vaccine, periodically topped up. Who else will need to be vaccinated for occupational reasons? Veterinarians and environmental port health officers, for example? Will the stray dogs be shot on sight as in Germany? Do we know the number of dog bites each year, and will all those bitten need the expensive post-exposure five-dose anti-rabies vaccine? The total cost may well put any demand for Viagra in the shade. She explained that a solution may be to muzzle all imported dogs until the six-month incubation period for rabies is over. Draconian laws may be unacceptable, but the social and financial cost of making regulations less strict should not be underestimated. In this letter to The British Times, from Mr Alistair Sampson, he is quoted as saying, Sir, Nick Brown, the Minister of Agriculture, should not let a mistaken sense of party loyalty inhibit him. He should write "Action this day" across the quarantine report. The Ministry of Agriculture has, according to this author, persuaded his predecessors to drag their feet. After decades of promoting ghoulish posters to welcome those returning to Channel ports they have managed to brainwash not only the uninformed in the community but themselves as well. When my wife and I first helped to found "Passports for Pets" four and a half years ago our two miniature Shnauzers were four. At the rate the Minister has announced he intends to move, unless the public puts salt on his tail, my dogs will be 11 when the report is adopted. The suffering of owners and their pets, and the unnecessary deaths of many of the latter, should not be allowed to continue one moment longer than necessary. The common currency is as may be. The common quarantine policy cannot come one moment too soon. FARMERS WELCOME EU AID ANNOUNCEMENT October 5, 1998 PA News Amanda Brown, Environment Correspondent Cash-strapped farmers today welcomed, according to this story, financial support from Europe. A move by the EU Sheep Management Committee to grant storage aid follows a call by the National Farmers' Union to the Ministry of Agriculture about the crisis in the industry. NFU president Ben Gill was quoted as saying, "The NFU has been involved in extensive talks with Agriculture Minister Nick Brown and European Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler in recent weeks in an effort to secure help for the industry through its present crisis. We see this speedy response by the UK Government and the EU Committee's agreement to this support as a much-needed sign that the concerns being expressed by the NFU and our members are being heard." The scheme will, according to this story, allow sheep meat to be placed in storage for between three to seven months. Buyers will be offered aid to keep the meat in storage. It is hoped the scheme will allow the market to recover and provide an opportunity to strike new agreements with the trade over future use of British lamb. Chairman of the NFU Livestock and Wool Committee David Williams, was quoted as saying, "The NFU has already begun talks with retailers, caterers and processors, urging them to make use of this aid scheme and stressing the benefits of buying British." Farmers are furious over plummeting prices for lamb and pig meat and the continuing British beef export ban sparked by the BSE crisis. Mr Brown was cited as pledging to help the farmers with compensation, when he addressed a NFU rally at Blackpool last week. Welsh farmers' leaders tonight welcomed the cold storage scheme as an aid to halting the collapse in lamb prices which has led to angry demonstrations. Carcasses of animals less than 12-months-old will be kept off the market for a maximum of seven months with the aim of restoring stability to the industry. Hugh Richards, chairman of the National Farmers' Union Wales, was quoted as saying, "We have been pressing hard for this move which has been brought about at the first available opportunity." The measure was announced alongside new regulations which will help producers export sheepmeat. Following an agreement between the UK government and French authorities, farmers will from Thursday be allowed to resume supplies of unsplit sheep carcasses to French cutting plants. Mr Richards was quoted as saying, "We hope that this move will enable sheepmeat exporters to regain their lost markets as quickly as possible." SAFEWAY AND SEATTLE VETERINARIANS HELPING TO EDUCATE STUDENTS October 5, 1998 from a press release SEATTLE -- Is your fourth grader trying to decide between becoming a firefighter or a veterinarian? Safeway and your family veterinarian want to help your child make an educated decision by giving them a chance to learn about animals and veterinarians through a specially-designed school program. Safeway grocery stores, local veterinarians and American Nutrition Pet Food Company are offering schools a free week-long curriculum guide created to educate children on the important role animals and veterinarians play in society and the interdependency on people and animals. Participating schools can also request a veterinarian visit to the fourth grade classroom to talk about animals and veterinary medicine. The week-long program is broken into five daily units covering social studies, science, citizenship, career education and math education, in relation to animals, typically covered in the fourth grade. Each unit takes about 45 minutes to complete and includes a suggested lesson plan, background information on the material and activity sheets for classroom distribution. The program will be made available free to schools on a first-come first- served basis. With every purchase of select Atta Boy, Atta Cat or Tyrell pet food, American Nutrition will make a donation to help cover the expense of the school guides. 12 school districts, including Tacoma, King, Kitsap and Snohomish, will be alerted to the free curriculum offer by mail and need to reply by the end of October. Veterinarian visits will be scheduled through the end of the year. FEA -- COUNTRY-ANIMAL October 5, 1998 AP COUNTRY LIVING A Hearst Magazine New research suggests, according to this story, that animal companions can make people happier and healthier. People with pets sometimes think of themselves as caretakers. Humans, after all, do the feeding, call the vet, and clean up the messes. Cynthia Jabs was cited as writing in an article in the October issue of Country Living, that pets take care of us, too, but they do it so skillfully that it looks as effortless as any virtuoso performance. In fact, there's growing evidence that those pet food bills may, according to this story, turn out to be a significant investment in your long-term health. Researchers were cited as showing that having a pet is good for your health. Studies have found both physical and emotional benefits to living with a pet. Lower blood pressure, happier marriages, less heart disease, and less dependence on mood-altering medications are among the many perks enjoyed by people who keep pets. On a physical level, researchers have found that petting an animal or even watching fish swim in a tank can lower blood pressure significantly. This story explained that psychiatrist Dr. Aaron Katcher and biologist and epidemiologist Erika Friedman discovered this after stumbling onto a link between animal ownership and the health of heart attack survivors. They followed patients discharged from a coronary care unit, looking at lifestyle factors including pet ownership. They found that patients who owned pets had far fewer subsequent heart attacks than those without pets. A recent study comparing couples that keep pets and couples that don't, found that pet owners got less upset when discussing touchy subjects. Psychologist Karen Allen, formerly of the State University of New York at Buffalo, hooked couples up to heart and blood pressure monitors and asked them to talk about something stressful in their marriage. Compared with couples without pets, pet owners' blood pressure rose less and came down quicker than those without. Pet-owning couples also reported more satisfaction with their relationships and more social contact outside of marriage. Does putting up with the little stresses that pets bring give us practice that pays off in our human relationships? Or do people who open their hearts and homes to pets simply have better stress-coping mechanisms to begin with? Steve Nagy, of the Latham Foundation (an Alameda, Calif., organization that supports research on human-animal bonding), was cited as describing the interaction between an elderly woman who'd been waiting two years for a liver transplant and a female volunteer and her dog. Before the visit, the patient's health-care workers had described her as depressed and withdrawn. Afterward her outlook brightened, and she became more active physically and interactive socially. ELLSWORTH ELECTED INTERNATIONAL CHAIR October 5, 1998 Ontario Farmer Daily Brian Ellsworth, General Manager of Ontario Egg Producers, has been elected chair of the International Egg Commission at their recent Annual Production and Marketing Conference in Capetown, South Africa. The International Egg Commission is an international organization made up of 30 member countries accounting for over 70% of the World's egg production, that brings egg producers, processors and allied industries together to share their experiences and work in concert for the betterment of the egg industry. In accepting his new role, Ellsworth spoke of the leadership role the IEC has taken in addressng common issues important to the international egg industry such as animal welfare, production management and egg quality and safety. He promised to continue the commission's role as a catalyst for the egg industry through the maintenance of a strong world wide communications network, recruitment of new member countires and sharing of knowledge. Henry Koop, Chair of Ontario Egg Producers, said "the Board of Directors and all Ontario egg producers are proud to have Brian named Chair of the Commission. His service to the Ontario and Canadian egg industry has been invaluable. The International Egg Commission has made a wise choice to help them move into the new millennium." To subscribe to AnimalNet, send mail to: listserv@listserv.uoguelph.ca leave subject line blank in the body of the message type: subscribe animalnet-L firstname lastname i.e. subscribe animalnet -L Doug Powell To unsubscribe to AnimalNet, send mail to: listserv@listserv.uoguelph.ca leave subject line blank in the body of the message type: signoff animalnet-L For more information about the AnimalNet research program, please contact: Dr. Douglas Powell dept. of plant agriculture University of Guelph Guelph, Ont. N1G 2W1 tel: 519-824-4120 x2506 fax: 519-763-8933 dpowell@uoguelph.ca archived at: http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/courses/ansc481/animal_net.html