ANIMALNET NOVEMBER 5, 1998

Turkey and Japanese Quail Studies May Impact Human Health
Ban ignored pressures report
Farmers Warned After Stag Gores Man To Death
Tainted dog food blamed on corn
Animals And Antibiotics
New Vet Rules Considered
Feds May Hike Livestock Compensation
Animal Health; Pregnancy Complications
Show Ring Shenanigans
Sound Science Is A Good Antidote To Dissension: An Educator Details
Controversy Surrounding Health Canada, From Milk Supplements To Apple
Cider.
Beef Comeback
South Africa-Elephants
UN-Saving Fish
U.S. Cattle Group Backs Complaint Against Canada
WSJ-Mexican Cattle

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

TURKEY AND JAPANESE QUAIL STUDIES MAY IMPACT HUMAN HEALTH
November 5, 1998
OSU News Service I
Ohio State University Extension
Jennifer Kiko
WOOSTER -- It's that time of year when we begin our quest for the perfect
holiday meal. The focal point of our annual spread is often a juicy,
tasteful turkey with stuffing and all the trimmings.
Thanks to people like Karl Nestor, an animal scientist at the Ohio
Agricultural Research and Development Center's Wooster campus, turkeys are
growing bigger and betterQbenefiting producers and consumers.
Turkeys are an important part of Ohio's agricultural industry. In 1996,
Ohio's 6.8 million birds brought in $97.6 million in cash receipts.  As a
result, Ohio ranks 10th in the nation in turkey production.
Nestor uses DNA fingerprinting to improve genetic traits in turkeys. The
three major turkey breeders in the world have been supplying the industry
with turkeys that grow fast with larger breasts.
That's great, except the turkeys had a hard time walking. "When the body
weight and breast size increased," Nestor said, "the legs of the turkeys
weren't strong enough to support the weight of the bird."
That problem led to leg problems and even death. Nestor used genetics to
develop turkeys with stronger legs. As a result, there are larger, meatier
turkeys available to consumers.
With one problem solved, Nestor has moved on to disease control. He now
uses DNA fingerprinting to help prevent diseasesQlike fowl cholera and
Newcastle disease virus.
Fowl cholera is severeQany number of birds could die without showing any
warning signs. The disease attacks the major organs. If the bird survives,
the disease manifests in the joints, causing problems that eventually lead
to death.
Newcastle disease affects the respiratory system. The mortality rate isn't
as prominent, but growth rate is affected. In adult birds, the disease
causes a reduction in eggs as well as misshapen eggs.
"Vaccines have been developed for Newcastle virus," Nestor said.
"The only problem is that the most effective vaccine contains a live virus
-- you can't vaccinate just one unit, you have to do them all."
That's a drawback for producer pocketbooks, but the impetus for a goal for
Nestor. "If your turkeys have genetic resistance to the disease, you don't
need a vaccine," he said.
Developing turkey disease resistance isn't the only serving on Nestor's
plate. Recently, he had an unusual development in Japanese quail.
Because quail react similarly to turkey but reproduce more quickly, Nestor
and his colleagues conduct many of their turkey studies on quail. While
studying body weight and how it affects reproduction, the scientists
discovered large tumors in the female birds. Working with Mo Saif in Food
Animal Health Research Program, they determined the birds had smooth
muscle tumors. The tumors were up to 10 percent of their total body
weight.
"A scientist at the University of Georgia has a line of quails he uses for
selective growth studies," Nestor said. "We examined the DNA fingerprints
of his birds and our birds to see if they were related. They were not, but
his birds also had tumors."
In fact, about 75 percent to 85 percent of the female quails from
growth-selected lines had at least one smooth muscle tumor.
"The tumors didn't cause a great deal of harm to the birds," Nestor said.
"The tumors may cause the birds to quit producing. When that happens,
estrogen levels decrease. Without enough estrogen to grow, the tumors
slowly disappear."
Smooth muscle tumors are often found in human females. Like those in the
Japanese quail, this type of tumor depends on estrogen to grow.
"These findings have a biomedical aspect," Nestor said. "We think these
tumors are directly related to body weight."
Nestor plans future studies in conjunction with scientists outside the
College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences to determine
what causes the tumors and how this agricultural research may help humans.

BAN IGNORED PRESSURES REPORT
November 4, 1998
The New Zealand Press
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr J. Morgan Williams
was cited as writing in a report that financial and emotional pressures on
farmers with rabbit infestation were not adequately considered when the
rabbit calicivirus disease was banned, arguing that since then there has
been too much criticism of the perpetrators of the release, and too little
consideration of why normally law-abiding rural communities sanctioned its
release.
The story says that RCD was illegally released in New Zealand in 1997
after a decision in July that year by the Ministry of Agriculture to ban
its release.
Dr Williams was quoted as writing, "Most members of a society uphold laws
they consider to be fair and just. Biosecurity laws are particularly
dependent on public acceptance of their fairness and value ..."
The report describes the illegal release as a "systems failure" akin to
the 1998 power crisis in Auckland.
Since 1979, policy changes had shifted the cost and responsibility for
rabbit control to local councils and landowners to the extent that by 1997
farmers were bearing the full expense.
Over the same period, both governments and researchers were placing
increasing emphasis on biological controls rather than pesticides,
heightening farmer expectation that these would be introduced.

FARMERS WARNED AFTER STAG GORES MAN TO DEATH
November 5, 1998
PA News
Chris Parkin
An elderly man has, according to this story, been gored to death by a stag
on a deer farm in the Irish Republic while feeding deer on a farm run by
his son in Co Limerick.
The incident - believed to be the first of its kind - prompted a warning
today from a deer-rearing experts that stags could be dangerous during
their rutting season.
Michael O'Dowd, of Teagasc, the Irish government-backed agriculture
advisory body, was cited as saying that farmers should only enter areas
where stags were being kept at this time of the year under exceptional
circumstances, adding, "We advise deer farmers to remove the antlers and
stay away from stags when possible."

TAINTED DOG FOOD BLAMED ON CORN
November 3, 1998
San Antonio Express News
J. Michael Parker
Express-News Staff Writer
Dr. Catherine Barr, assistant toxicologist at Texas A&M University's
Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Laboratory was cited as saying that tainted
dogfood linked to the deaths of about 25 dogs in Texas in the past
two months has been traced to moldy corn damaged by insects during last
summer's drought.
Tests revealed the culprit as aflatoxin B1, a mold toxin that gets
into kernels of corn that cracked because of insect activity and extreme
dryness.
The story notes that a pathologist noticed lesions suggesting the presence
of aflatoxin appeared repeatedly in the liver samples.
Douglas Cahill, chief executive officer of Tennessee-based Doane
Products Co., which manufactured the dog food, was cited as apologizing
for the dog deaths, adding, "We first learned of one isolated incident and
got data back last Friday identifying aflatoxin as the cause of death.
We've identified six pet owners with a total of 12 dogs, but now we know
25 dogs have died. We've met with the six owners we've identified to find
out
what they fed their dogs and where it came from. Our goal is to meet with
every pet owner."
Cahill added that a recall affects all of Texas and Shreveport, La., but
added
that few products manufactured in July and August still are on the
shelves. The affected foods probably came from one batch, he said.
Anyone with a product included in the recall should return it, in the
original packaging, to the store where it was purchased. It will be
replaced at no charge, Cahill said.
"Our first concern is for the safety of family pets," he said. "Even
though
the problem appears to be limited to a very small amount of dog food, we
are recalling more than enough production to assure we remove any pet
food that may be a problem."
Cahill said his company has intensified product testing.

REFINING ETHICS
November 7, 1998
New Scientist
Penny Hawkins of  the RSPCA based in Horsham, West Sussex, UK, writes in
this letter that she was delighted Inside Science (Number 114, 17 October)
highlight the ethical dilemma associated with the use of animals in
scientific
research. However, the article contained an error concerning a very
important concept.
"Refinement" is not "extracting the maximum information from the
minimum number of experiments". This is actually another example of
reduction. Refinement means minimising pain, suffering and distress
during and after experiments and improving welfare, which is a legal
requirement of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
Animal husbandry can (and should) also be refined beyond the minimum
requirements of the Act by giving all animals an appropriate and
interesting environment to live in.
Ethical decisions therefore need to be made, not only about whether to use
animals and how many to use, but also about how they will be used and
whether they can be housed and cared for so as to minimise both physical
and psychological suffering. This can have an immediate positive impact on
the welfare of laboratory animals for as long as their use continues.

ANIMALS AND ANTIBIOTICS
November 3, 1998
CBC News and Current Affairs
PETER MANSBRIDGE: An alarming new report in a Canadian medical
journal today about animals and antibiotics. It says far more
antibiotics are given to animals than people, hundreds of times
more. And it calls that a major part of the superbug problem.
Kelly Crowe explains.
KELLY CROWE: For these Alberta cattle, dinner is part barley, part
vitamins and minerals and part antibiotics, in this case to keep
them from developing pneumonia.
BOB THORLAKSON / THORLAKSON FEEDYARDS: Through the appropriate use
of antibiotics, we reduce both sickness and death in our cattle.
CROWE: Across the agricultural industry, farmers are using
antibiotics to treat and prevent disease and in some cases to
simply promote growth. But some scientists say giving animals
antibiotics may be hazardous to human health by helping to create
dangerous bacteria that are increasingly resistant to drugs. It's
an accusation made today in a review published in the Canadian
Medical Association Journal.
Dr. ALLISON McGEER / MICROBIOLOGIST: The fear is that if we keep
using them inappropriately that we'll lose them when we need them
and they're very important.
CROWE: Researchers say bacteria exposed to antibiotics in animals
are learning how to resist the drugs and then finding their way
into the human food chain. Researchers say that bacteria is
causing infections in people; infections that are immune to
traditional antibiotic treatment. But veterinarians who work in
the feedlot industry say they aren't persuaded that there's a
direct link between antibiotics in animals and drug resistant
bacteria in people. They want more evidence. And they say people
are misusing antibiotics too.
TIM GUICHON / FEEDLOT HEALTH MANAGEMENT SERVICE: I'm not saying there is
or there isn't a link. It's unclear but the stakeholder
including human medicine and the medical profession also need to
deal with their role in this whole thing as well. So it's a much
more complex issue.
CROWE: But researchers say the evidence is overwhelming. That
misuse of antibiotics around the world is creating dangerous
strains of bacteria and that reducing antibiotic use is the only
solution.
Dr. JOHN SPIKA / HEALTH CANADA: We are much better off to try and
control it at this point in time than we're going to be five or
ten years down the pike.
CROWE: The scientists admit it's a complex problem requiring
international co-operation and fundamental changes in both
agricultural practices and in the way human disease is treated.
But they say as more bacteria become resistant to drugs, it's a
problem that's becoming increasingly urgent. Kelly Crowe, CBC
News, near Airdrie, Alberta.

NEW VET RULES CONSIDERED
November 2, 1998
Farm and Country
ROBERT IRWIN
New vet rules need to be established, according to this story for
extra-label drug use (ELDU). It happens every day on many farms when more
antibiotic, than is recommended on the label of the bottle, is used to
treat an animal. And sometimes a disease or condition calls for a drug
licensed for another species or purpose. Draft regulations could,
according to this story, provide both farmers and vets with peace of mind
for such extra-label use. One problem is no one knows for sure how long it
takes before it's safe to consume milk or meat from animals undergoing
so-called extra-label drug use (ELDU) treatment. Withdrawal times for
drugs used in an approved fashion are supposed to be based on careful
science. Variables can include the age and condition of the animal.
Dr. Dale, a board member of the College of Veterinarians of
Ontario (CVO), was cited as admitting that he has used ELDU on cattle in
his own practice, adding,  "At times I questioned the withdrawal times."
He was cited as saying that it's time the College regulated so-called
extra-label drug use. In addition to residues, he cites growing public
awareness of resistant strains of salmonella, E. coli and campylobacter.
Scott was further cited as saying that he hopes his proposals will
eventually be adopted by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. The
first challenge, though, is deciding what exactly "extra label" means,
adding, "A definition definitely has to come out of this study." If for no
other reason than harmony with our trading partner, this will probably
resemble one set out by U.S.
officials under the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act enacted
almost two years ago. This story explained that the AMDUCA definition
includes "use in a species not listed in the labeling, use for an
indication [disease or other condition] not listed in the labelling, and
use at dosage levels, frequencies or routes of administration other than
those stated in the labeling." U.S. vets can't prescribe an extra-label
use to simply boost production.

FEDS MAY HIKE LIVESTOCK COMPENSATION
November 5, 1998
Western Producer
Barry Wilson
The federal government is, according to this story, considering a
significant increase in the maximum compensation payment for cattle
ordered destroyed because of suspicion of a reportable infectious disease.
Andr Gravel, acting vice-president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,
was cited as telling a House of Commons committee last week that Health of
Animals Act compensation levels are being reviewed. He said in an
interview after the Oct. 20 meeting, that a committee of industry and
government also will
review compensation for other animals covered, including cattle, pigs and
horses, adding, "I don't think cattle will be doubled but I do think there
will be a significant increase."
If the recommendations of a consultant are accepted, the levels of
compensation would be reviewed regularly. And the system of determining
compensation likely will change.

ANIMAL HEALTH; PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS
November 5, 1998
Western Producer
Jeff Grognet
Cows entering their final trimester of pregnancy are, according to this
story, at risk for complications. Specifically, they may lose their
fetuses or they can develop dropsical condition.
This story explained that a common problem of late pregnancy is fetal
mummification. Though the herd incidence is usually less than two percent,
it can be much higher in feedlot heifers that have failed to expel their
fetuses after being given medications to induce abortion. When the fetus
dies, the fluids are absorbed by the dam. The fetus and the membranes
become dehydrated leaving a dark, leathery mass, which is nothing more
than a skeleton covered with dried skin. Cows with mummified fetuses do
not become ill. Because a live calf is needed to stimulate parturition, a
mummified fetus will not be detected until the cow fails to calve.
Once discovered, a mummified fetus must be removed. Administering
prostaglandins to the cow usually causes its expulsion in two to four
days. Cows that don't respond need surgery. Once a cow has recovered, it
can be rebred without complications because the problem involved only the
fetus. Fetal maceration occurs when the fetus dies from an infection and
is not aborted. The fetus is slowly decomposed by bacteria until all that
is left is a compact mass of bones. The hallmark of fetal maceration is
the presence of pus discharging from the vagina. There is no good
treatment for maceration because bone fragments often remain embedded in
the lining of the uterus. Affected cows should be culled because they are
not likely to
conceive again.
Dropsical conditions occur in late pregnancy and are, according to this
story, caused by excess fluid accumulation in the fetal-placental unit.
The fluid can be either in the allantoic membrane, which stores urine from
the fetus, or in the amnionic membrane, which surrounds the fetus. The
amnion should contain about six litres of fluid at the end of gestation.
This fluid is derived from the calf's saliva. The volume is kept in check
when the fetus swallows. If there is a congenital defect that prevents
swallowing, fluid will build up
to as much as 150 litres. When large volumes of amniotic fluid accumulate,
the cow's abdomen distends and looks pear-shaped. When lesser amounts
build up, the condition may not be noticeable until calving. Cows with
hydrops amnion can be rebred as long as the fluid did not cause permanent
damage. Hydrops allantois is the more common condition, accounting for
more than 90 percent of dropsical conditions. Urine produced by the fetus
flows through a small tube in the umbilical cord into the allantoic sac. A
normal volume is about 9.5 litres in late pregnancy. In hydrops allantois,
as much as 200 litres of urine will accumulate. Surprisingly, this is not
the result of poorly functioning fetal kidneys. The problem is a placental
abnormality.
Many older cows have a deficiency of caruncles (the sites on the uterus
where the fetal placenta attaches.) Loss of caruncles can result from a
prior uterine infection, from the forceful extraction of a fetus, or from
pulling hard on a retained placenta.
It is, according to this story, believed that a deficiency of caruncles
upsets the fluid balance in the uterus/placenta unit. The excess
accumulates in the allantois. Hydrops allantois develops rapidly over a
period of three weeks in contrast to the slow accumulation of fluid in
hydrops amnion. As fluid builds up, the cow develops digestive symptoms
(lack of appetite, constipation) and may have trouble breathing. The
prognosis for a cow with hydrops allantois is poor so immediate slaughter
is recommended. If the cow is allowed to live until delivery, there is a
possibility that her uterus will rupture or support ligaments that hold
her uterus in position will break. She is also at risk for hip
dislocations or hind leg fractures due to the massive weight she carries.
The other option is to induce abortion or do a caesarean but the high rate
of complications can make these choices impractical.

SHOW RING SHENANIGANS
November 2, 1998
Farm and Country
DON STONEMAN
Canadian breeders can, according to this story, take pride in their
genetics, which figured favourably at last month's World Dairy Expo in
Madison, Wis. They could have done without the publicity over a Canadian
drug, Liquamast Aerosol, that has allegedly been used for cheating in the
show ring. The
aerosol pushes a drug up into a quarter through the teat. It can also be
used to blow up a cow's udder, giving it just the right amount of
roundness and uniformity desirable in the show ring. And the latter is
precisely what some breeders have been accused of doing at dairy shows in
the U.S. Dr. Terry Howard, superintendent of the dairy cattle show at
Madison, was cited as saying that the drug is Canadian and has never been
approved in
the U.S., but show ring cheating isn't a Canadian problem. The product has
found its way into the hands of breeders from elsewhere, as Liquamast is
no longer being marketed in Canada. Pfizer took it off the Canadian market
last spring. No penalties were laid against breeders at the World Dairy
Expo for using unethical and perhaps illegal methods to inflate cows
udders to make them look better in the show ring.

SOUND SCIENCE IS A GOOD ANTIDOTE TO DISSENSION: AN EDUCATOR DETAILS
CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING HEALTH CANADA, FROM MILK SUPPLEMENTS TO APPLE
CIDER.
November 4, 1998
The Vancouver Sun
A17
Nov. 5/98
Hamilton Spectator/K-W Record
Douglas Powell
GUELPH, Ont. -- Health Canada can take some immediate steps to stop
the hemorrhaging of credibility and restore confidence to the Canadian
public. For two months now at least in this latest incarnation allegations
have swirled around Health Canada regarding suppressed scientific studies,
managerial incompetence and valiant researchers desperate to go public.
But the bureaucratic response we're seeking expert advice, we're
consulting with Canadians, we're re-engineering ourselves to become more
excellent are falling on deaf ears. And rightly so. What's to do?
In early September, allegations surfaced that scientists within the health
protection branch were being forced to approve veterinary products such as
recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) in the absence of adequate human
health studies. A mysterious study alleged that some 10 years ago rats
injected with high doses of rBST had an immune response. Despite numerous
media accounts, the study in question has not been forwarded for the
scientific scrutiny of peer-review. Was the study scientifically valid?
Were the appropriate controls in place? Who knows?
The basis of scientific judgment is peer review open for outside scrutiny
and repeatability. Otherwise, the electrical needs of Canadians would be
met through the wonders of cold fusion. By hiding behind the legalese of
commercial confidentiality, Health Canada has allowed critics, including
its own scientists, to make what would, according to the majority of the
international scientific community, appear to be unfounded accusations.
Health Canada could easily issue a statement summarizing the current state
of scientific knowledge regarding rBST and the relevant peer-reviewed
research. It could make a serious commitment to communicating with
Canadians about food-related risk Beyond the angst of genetically
engineered dairy hormones, the U..S. Food and Drug Administration has, in
the past two months, implemented mandatory labelling for unpasteurized
apple cider and
warned certain consumers not to eat alfalfa sprouts, in both cases due to
the occasional presence of bacterial pathogens which can make people,
especially the very young and old, very sick. Similar actions have not
been taken by Canadian regulators, although the risk remains, irrespective
of geography. Is rBST a risk to human health? Over the years, Health
Canada has decided no, then yes, then no, then yes again. The basis for
such inconsistency, especially when every major international health
authority has agreed that rBST is safe for human consumption, is puzzling
at best, political at worst. Allegations about potential human or animal
health effects associated with the use of rBST have been circulating for a
least a decade, magnified with the advent of the Internet and the World
Wide Web. In a democratic society, dissension should not be silenced, but
countered with sound science. The promoters of new technologies like rBST
have been largely silent, at least in Canada, in
responding to challenges about safety. Canadians need a strong,
science-based regulatory system. Industry wants and needs a strong
regulatory system to augment their claims of safety and efficacy. The
alternative has long-term and often undesirable effects. Recently,
scientists have identified the emergence of a calcium-deficient
generation, as teenagers and others express their lack of confidence by
shunning dairy products. Are calcium-fortified indigestion aids really the
solution to a crisis of confidence in foods? And will the predicted
increase of osteoporosis in the next generation be the legacy of today's
bureaucratic stagnation?

BEEF COMEBACK
October 26, 1998
National Meat Association- Lean Trimmings
Jeremy Russell
Last year, restaurants served steak 364 million times, up 4% over 1996,
reported Restaurants & Institutions magazine on October 1, 1998. But
there's another way beef has been getting on menus. Operators across the
country are experimenting with smaller portions of beef in various dishes,
moving it into a role other than stand-alone star. Examples include
ravioli
stuffing, rolled beef appetizers and hearty chili.

SOUTH AFRICA-ELEPHANTS
November 4, 1998
AP
PAT REBER
BRITS, South Africa -- According to this story, from 1967 to 1995,
government rangers killed 14,629 elephants to limit their numbers in
Kruger Park. With populations growing at 7 percent a year, Krugerwhich
stopped culling to quell international protestis considering
reintroduction of the practice later this month to limit its herd of more
than 8,000 elephants.

UN-SAVING FISH
November 4, 1998
AP
VANIA GRANDI
ROME -- Faced with depleting fish stocks and alarmed by the potential
damage to their economies, more than 80 nations have, according to this
story, approved a voluntary agreement to limit fishing worldwide.
Under the accord, the nations also pledged to protect sharks and seabirds.
Each year, thousands of sharks are accidentally caught in nets used by
tuna fishermen while thousands of seabirds die when they try to feed off
bait on fishing lines and become ensnared by the hooks.
This story explained that the agreement was adopted Tuesday at the end of
a weeklong conference at the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations. It has been submitted to the agency's fishing
committee for final approval, expected in February.
Serge Garcia, director of FAO's Fisheries Resources Division, was quoted
as saying, "In most cases, the greatest risk is not the extinction of fish
species but the extinction of economies."

U.S. CATTLE GROUP BACKS COMPLAINT AGAINST CANADA
 Nov 4/98
Reuters
 CHICAGO - The largest United States cattlemen's group was cited as saying
on Wednesday that it would support a trade complaint against Canadian
producers but remain neutral on an anti-dumping complaint against Mexican
cattle producers. The decision by the National Cattlemen's Beef
Association's
(NCBA) executive committee, made at a meeting in Phoenix on Tuesday,
marked a switch from its neutral position set forth last month on three
trade complaints filed with the U.S. government by a private group, the
Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Foundation (R-CALF).
NCBA President Clark Willingham was quoted as saying, "The face-to-face
discussion at NCBA's quarterly executive committee meeting gave us an
atmosphere where we could take a more in-depth look at this issue. NCBA
has long had concerns about government intervention in Canadian
agriculture, particularly from their Wheat Board. There are potential
subsidies that can make grain cheaper for cattle producers in Canada, and
we need to take a hard look at that. U.S. cattlemen have developed a
strong and vital two-way trading relationship with Mexican cattlemen, and
it is especially critical that this trade be continued while U.S.
cattlemen face poor market conditions."
Canadian prairie farmers only can sell wheat and barley for export to the
Canadian Wheat Board, a state trading body. NCBA was cited as saying that
this keeps the Canadian feed supply artificially high by spreading out
payments at a flat price and deducting transportation costs. Many local
Canadian farmers sell to local feedlots at market value, which at times
gives Canadian feedlot operators a competitive advantage in feed costs.
The latest move by NCBA comes after it arranged a "summit" meeting of U.S.
and Canadian cattle industry leaders and government officials on October
19 in Denver.

WSJ-MEXICAN CATTLE
Nov. 4/98
Dow Jones
 By Joel Millman and Robert S. Greenberger
 Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal
 MONTERREY, Mexico --  In a related story, U.S. exports of meat products
to Mexico have, according to this story, soared since the 1994 passage of
the North American Free Trade Agreement, or Nafta, which all but
eliminated import duties on them. Beef imports from the U.S. have
increased more than 200% since 1993, while pork imports have gone up
nearly 40% over the same period. Mexican meat producers have successfully
lobbied Mexican authorities to open an investigation into alleged dumping
by their U.S. counterparts.

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