ANIMALNET DECEMBER 10, 1999 Control of early viral and bacterial distribution and disease by natural antibodies Dead lobsters Too Mammoth an undertaking Animal rights terrorists issues death threat to dove hunting proponents - Iowa Removal of designated journals Removal of designated journals; companion document to direct final rule New animal drugs; change of sponsor address Notice of receipt of applications for permit Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; spikedace and the loach minnow AnimalNet is produced by researchers at the Agri-Food Risk Management and Communication Project at the University of Guelph, is edited by Wendy Powell (wpowell@uoguelph.ca) and Douglas Powell (dpowell@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, Pfizer Animal Health Group, Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited (Canada), Canadian Animal Health Institute, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Meat & Livestock Australia, Canadian Pork Council, Ontario Farm Animal Council, the U.S. National Cattlemens Beef Association, the Rutgers University Food Safety Extension Program, Ag-West Biotech, Capital Health, the Ontario Soybean Growers Marketing Board, Food Indsutry Environmental Network, Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors, Chicken Farmers of Canada, MDS Nordion, American Meat Institute, Alberta farm Animal Council, and the Agricultural Adaptation Council (CanAdapt Program). archived at: http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/courses/ansc481/animal_net.html CONTROL OF EARLY VIRAL AND BACTERIAL DISTRIBUTION AND DISEASE BY NATURAL ANTIBODIES December 10, 1999 Science Volume 286, Number 5447, pp. 2156 - 2159 Adrian F. Ochsenbein, 1* Thomas Fehr, 1 Claudia Lutz, 2 Mark Suter, 3 Frank Brombacher, 4 Hans Hengartner, 1 Rolf M. Zinkernagel 1 ABSTRACT Natural antibodies are often dismissed from immunological analysis as "background," but they may play an important role in conferring immunity against infections. In antibody-free mice infected with various viruses or with Listeria monocytogenes, viral or bacterial titers in peripheral organs, including the kidney and brain, were 10 to 100 times greater than in antibody-competent mice (and enhanced their susceptibility to some infections), and titers in secondary lymphoid organs were 10 to 100 times lower than in antibody-competent mice. Thus, natural antibodies play a crucial role by preventing pathogen dissemination to vital organs and by improving immunogenicity through enhanced antigen-trapping in secondary lymphoid organs. DEAD LOBSTERS December 9, 1999 The Associated Press FRANK ELTMAN Associated Press Writer HUNTINGTON, N.Y. -- Late last summer, lobster catches were either dead or dying before they even got back to the dock. By November, catch rates had, according to this story, plummeted 90 per cent, fueling fears that the nation's No. 3 lobster market may be completely wiped out. Marine biologists were cited as thinking that a disease caused by a parasite is to blame. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., was cited as saying that he has asked Commerce Secretary William Daley to declare the Sound a federal disaster area, echoing a call made earlier this week by Connecticut Gov. John Rowland. The declaration would, this story says, clear the way for grants to determine the cause of the outbreak and ways of preventing its return. This story explained that there are about 900 licensees from New York and another 400 in Connecticut who earn a living fishing for lobster. New York ranked behind only Maine and Massachusetts in lobster production last year, with 8.5 million pounds. Connecticut lobstermen brought in 3.5 million pounds. Christopher Smith, director of the marine program for the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, was cited as estimating the loss to the Long Island economy at between $30 million and $50 million‹"a true disaster of unprecedented proportions in the lobster industry." Smith and other experts were cited as saying that humans aren't affected by the sickness. Carl Lobue of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, was cited as saying that the problem first was noticed in the western part of the Sound in mid-September. This story further explained that during October and November, state scientists teamed with their counterparts in Connecticut to investigate. Water, sediment and tissue samples were sent to the University of Connecticut, the University of Arizona and the Food and Drug Administration in Washington. Researchers found that a tiny parasite probably was making the lobsters sick. Lobstermen were cited as saying that the blight has spread eastward. Teri Frady, a spokeswoman for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, was cited as saying that so far the problem is confined to Long Island Sound and has not yet spread up the coast. Peter Schultz of Oyster Bay is, this story says, among those who say dredging sediment in the western Sound may have contributed to the problem. Others blame runoff from sewage treatment plants. Some even wondered whether pesticide spraying to combat a virus blamed for killing seven people in the New York area was the cause; Lobue was cited as saying that appears unlikely. Roger Tollefsen, president of the New York Seafood Council, was cited as saying that so far there hasn't been a problem with the supply of lobsters because "other areas are filling some of the voids." But, he was quoted as warning, "this is going to have the potential for a tremendous impact, especially next year." Whatever the consumer is paying, Long Island lobstermen say they have bills to pay and little or no income. Schultz was cited as saying that he's returned to clamming, but doesn't know how long that will last, adding, "We'll take a bad year. We're fishermen. But there's no lobsters. We're waiting on Mother Nature to tell the tale." TOO MAMMOTH AN UNDERTAKING December 10, 1999 Science Volume 286, Number 5447, p 2083 Frank Tschentscher, Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, was quoted as writing in this letter to the editor: In his News of the Week article "Siberian mammoth find raises hopes, questions" (29 Oct., p. 876), Richard Stone describes the excavation of a presumably well-preserved mammoth and the possibility of researchers attempting to resurrect the species. It is, according to this letter, a matter of debate if it is desirable to "create" mammoths or other extinct species. However, it would never work. The excavated organic material is thousands of years old, and cloning requires a cell with a complete and undamaged genome. Just a single DNA base in the wrong place could lead to lethality or severe genetic disorders. This letter explained that a number of DNA studies on mammoths have been published (1), and the retrieval of single-copy nuclear DNA has recently been reported (2), but even the best preserved permafrost specimens yielded fragmented and damaged DNA. References 1. For example, see, E. Hagelberg et al., Nature 370, 333 (1994); H. Yang, E. M. Golenberg, J. Shoshani, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93, 1190 (1996); M. Noro et al., J. Mol. Evol. 46, 314 (1998). 2. A. D. Greenwood et al., Mol. Biol. Evol. 16, 1466 (1999) ANIMAL RIGHTS TERRORISTS ISSUES DEATH THREAT TO DOVE HUNTING PROPONENTS - IOWA COMMITTEE FOR WILDLIFE LEGISLATIVE FUND OF AMERICA December 9, 1999 from a press release DES MOINES, Iowa -- Leaders of the effort to legalize mourning dove hunting in Iowa were stunned Wednesday as a letter containing an explicit death threat arrived in the mail. Recipients of the death threat were all members of the Iowa Committee for the Wildlife Legislative Fund of America. The letter warned, "We know where you live. Stop your actions now..." and threatened "If you do not stop, your homes will be firebombed ... your children's and grandchildren's throats will be slit..." The terrorist letters shocked the Committee. "You'd like to think that this sort of thing is just a hoax, but the letter was very explicit about my kids, both of whom are very young," said Rick Tebbs, Ft. Madison resident and spokesman for the Iowa Committee. "Quite frankly, my wife and I were unnerved." Another Committee member echoed Tebbs feelings. "It really concerns me that a few mourning doves would be deemed worthy of bombing my house and threatening my children and grandchildren," said Doyle Adams, an Indianola resident and former staff member with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "These people are obviously very sick." Tebbs reported that all recipients of the letter have filed police reports in their hometowns as well as with the Des Moines police, the Iowa Attorney General's office and the FBI. Tebbs, Adams and the rest of the committee all agree that the letters provide additional motivation to push for the dove bill, expected to be debated as the Iowa House of Representatives reconvenes in January. "We've been saying all along that opponents of dove hunting are largely animal rights extremists who are out of touch with Iowa's traditions and values," explained Tebbs. "This incident just proves how radical some animal rights folks can be when it comes to animal issues." Some animal rights extremists go beyond threats, however. The US Department of Justice in 1997 reported that there have been at least 313 instances of animal rights terrorism in the United States resulting in more than $150 million in damages to research labs, farms and more. Most believe it is only a matter of time until human lives are lost to this violence. FBI Director Louis Freeh categorized the animal rights groups performing these violent acts as "the most recognizable single issue terrorists of the present time." Just yesterday, the USA Today reported how violence, in the name of animal rights, is on the rise. Edward Walsh, a deafness researcher in Omaha, Nebraska, who has received death threats and bomb threats, explained, "I never walk to my car without wondering whether it will be the last time I turn the ignition." In October, 83 scientists who conduct medical research on animals received letters containing razor blades intended to slice their fingers. This past week, animal rights activists were involved in violent demonstrations in Seattle. Numerous medical research facilities have been destroyed under the flag of animal rights. Iowa has seen limited animal rights activity to date. One such incident occurred in the early 1990's when the 19-year-old Pork Queen was smashed in the face with a cream pie by an activist during the World Expo. This latest incident should act as a wake up call to all Iowa citizens that the goal of animal rights terrorism is to cause fear. David Adams, an Iowa Committee member from Lytton agreed with that assessment. "These people are scary. All I'm working for is a chance to pursue a bird hunted in 38 other states. Surely this issue isn't worth threatening my family. I hope the authorities take this as seriously as we do. What's wrong with these people?" Following is a copy of one death threat letter as received by the Iowa Committee for the Wildlife Legislative Fund of America: Doyle Adams 707 N. 7th Indianola, IA 50125 By being part of the Iowa committee for the WLFA you have brought attention to yourself. We now know who you are and what you stand for!! We as the protectors of God's symbol of peace will not stand for your actions. The Iowa Committee for the WLFA is a blood thirsty giant that must be slain. By cutting off his head the rest of him will fall to the ground and rot away. We know where you live! Stop your actions now, you have been warned!! If you do not, your homes will be fire bombed to stop your propaganda machine. Your children's and grandchildren's throats will be slit and their bodies will be left to our maggot brothers. Your bad seed must be stopped. We have thousands of committed souls willing to lay down their lives to protect those that can't speak for themselves and a war chest large enough to buy off any politician. We already have several key people in our back pocket, so you will not win. We are watching your every move, this is your final warning. DEFENDERS OF ANIMAL RIGHT'S EVERYWHERE PROTECTORS OF ALL THAT IS RIGHT CHOSEN BY GOD'S SYMBOL OF PEACE BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO ALL GOD'S CREATURES RIGHTS OF ANIMALS MUST BE PROTECTED, DESTRUCTION WILL BE USED WHEN IT IS NEEDED SOURCE Iowa Committee for Wildlife Legislative Fund of America REMOVAL OF DESIGNATED JOURNALS December 10, 1999 Federal Register (Volume 64, Number 237) [Rules and Regulations] [Page 69188-69190] [DOCID:fr10de99-5] 21 CFR Parts 10, 12, and 510 [Docket No. 99N-4957] AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Direct final rule. SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is removing its regulation that lists the veterinary and scientific journals available in FDA's library. The purpose of the list is to allow individuals to reference articles from listed journals in new animal drug applications (NADA), documents submitted to the Dockets Management Branch, and objections and requests for a hearing on a regulation or order instead of submitting a copy or reprint of the article. FDA is taking this action because this list of journals is outdated and because individuals rarely use the regulation. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is issuing a companion proposed rule. If significant adverse comments are received about this direct final rule, it will be withdrawn and FDA will follow its usual procedures for notice-and-comment rulemaking based on the companion proposed rule. DATES: This regulation is effective April 24, 2000. Submit written comments on this direct final rule by February 23, 2000. If FDA receives no significant adverse comments within the specified comment period, the agency intends to publish in the Federal Register a document confirming the effective date of the final rule within 30 days after the comment period on the direct final rule ends. If timely significant adverse comments are received, the agency will publish in the Federal Register a document withdrawing this direct final rule before its effective date. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. REMOVAL OF DESIGNATED JOURNALS; COMPANION DOCUMENT TO DIRECT FINAL RULE December 10, 1999 Federal Register (Volume 64, Number 237) [Proposed Rules] [Page 69209-69211] [DOCID:fr10de99-14] 21 CFR Parts 10, 12, and 510 [Docket No. 99N-4957] AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing to remove its regulation that lists the veterinary and scientific journals available in FDA's library. The purpose of the list is to allow individuals to reference articles from listed journals in the new animal drug application (NADA) documents submitted to the Dockets Management Branch, and objections and requests for a hearing on a regulation or order instead of submitting a copy or reprint of the article. FDA is taking this action because this list of journals is outdated and because individuals rarely use the regulation. This proposed rule is a companion document to the direct final rule published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. If FDA receives significant adverse comments about the direct final rule, it will be withdrawn, and the comments will be considered in the development of a final rule using usual notice-and-comment rulemaking based on this proposed rule. DATES: Submit written comments on or before February 23, 2000. If FDA receives any significant adverse comment regarding this rule, FDA will publish in the Federal Register a document withdrawing the companion direct final rule within 30 days after the comment period ends. If FDA does not receive any significant adverse comment, the agency intends to publish in the Federal Register a document confirming the effective date of the final rule within 30 days after the comment period on the direct final rule ends. The direct final rule will be effective April 24, 2000. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the proposed rule to the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. NEW ANIMAL DRUGS; CHANGE OF SPONSOR ADDRESS December 10, 1999 Federal Register (Volume 64, Number 237) [Rules and Regulations] [Page 69191-69192] [DOCID:fr10de99-7] 21 CFR Part 510 AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the animal drug regulations to reflect a change of sponsor address for Hoechst Roussel Vet. Dates: This regulation is effective December 10, 1999. NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS FOR PERMIT December 10, 1999 Federal Register (Volume 64, Number 237) [Notices] [Page 69291] [DOCID:fr10de99-82] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service The following applicants have applied for a permit to conduct certain activities with endangered species. This notice is provided pursuant to Section 10© of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531, et seq.): PRT-010366. Applicant: Larry Johnson, Boerne, TX The applicant requests a permit to export one male and two female captive-bred ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) to Exoticos la Puerta, Jalisco, Mexico, for the purpose of propagation for the enhancement of the survival of the species. PRT-020037. Applicant: North Carolina Zoological Park, Asheboro, NC The applicant requests a permit to import blood and fecal samples collected from wild specimens of wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) originating from populations in and around Faro, Benoue, and Boula Ndjida National Parks in Cameroon for scientific purposes. PRT-20256. Applicant: Oakhill Center for Rare and Endangered Species, Luther, OK The applicant requests a permit to import two male cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) from Cango Wildlife Ranch, Oudshorn, Republic of South Africa. These specimens were originally removed from the wild as nuisance animals in Namibia and are now being imported for the purpose of captive propagation for the enhancement of the survival of the species. PRT-20257. Applicant: Oakhill Center for Rare and Endangered Species, Luther, OK The applicant requests a permit to import one captive-bred female cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) from Wassenaar Wildlife Breeding Centre, Wassenaar, Holland, for the purpose of propagation for the enhancement of the survival of the species. The public is invited to comment on the following application for a permit to conduct certain activities with marine mammals. The application was submitted to satisfy requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations governing marine mammals (50 CFR 18). PRT-019950. Applicant: Donald E. Barnett, Bisbee, AZ The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sport-hunted from the McClintock Channel polar bear population, Northwest Territories, Canada for personal use. PRT-020091. Applicant: Richard Lee Dorigatti, Logan, Utah The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sport-hunted from the McClintock Channel polar bear population, Northwest Territories, Canada for personal use. Written data or comments, requests for copies of the complete application, or requests for a public hearing on this application should be sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Management Authority, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 700, Arlington, Virginia 22203, telephone 703/358-2104 or fax 703/358-2281 and must be received within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice. Anyone requesting a hearing should give specific reasons why a hearing would be appropriate. The holding of such a hearing is at the discretion of the Director. Documents and other information submitted with the application are available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act, by any party who submits a written request for a copy of such documents to the above address within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice. Dated: December 6, 1999. Kristen Nelson, Chief, Branch of Permits, Office of Management Authority. ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS; PROPOSED DESIGNATION OF CRITICAL HABITAT FOR THE SPIKEDACE AND THE LOACH MINNOW; PROPOSED RULE December 10, 1999 Federal Register (Volume 64, Number 237) [Proposed Rules] [Page 69323-69355] [DOCID:fr10de99-19] 50 CFR Part 17 RIN 1018-AF76 AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose designation of critical habitat pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for the spikedace (Meda fulgida) and the loach minnow (Tiaroga = (Rhinichthys) cobitis). This proposal is made in response to a court order in Southwest Center for Biological Diversity v. Clark CIV 98-0769 M/JHG, directing us to complete designation of critical habitat for the spikedace and loach minnow by February 17, 2000. We are proposing as critical habitat a total of approximately 1,443 kilometers (km) (894 miles (mi)) of rivers and creeks for the two species. The entire designation is proposed as critical habitat for the loach minnow, and approximately 1,325 km (822 mi) of those miles are also proposed as critical habitat for the spikedace. Proposed critical habitat includes portions of the Gila, San Francisco, Blue, Black, Verde, and San Pedro rivers, and some of their tributaries, in Apache, Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, and Yavapai Counties in Arizona; and Catron, Grant, and Hidalgo Counties in New Mexico. If this proposed rule is finalized, Federal agencies proposing actions that may affect the areas designated as critical habitat must consult with us on the effects of the proposed actions, pursuant to section 7(a)(2) of the Act. DATES: We will consider all comments on the rule, the draft Economic Analysis, and draft Environmental Assessment received from interested parties by January 14, 2000. We will hold public hearings in Thatcher, Arizona, and Silver City, New Mexico on December 15, 1999, and in Camp Verde, Arizona, on December 16, 1999. ADDRESSES: 1. Send your comments on the rule, the draft Economic Analysis, and draft Environmental Assessment to the Arizona Ecological Services Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2321 W. Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, Arizona 85021. 2. The complete file for this rule will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the Arizona Ecological Services Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2321 W. Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, Arizona 85021. 3. We will hold the Thatcher hearing at Eastern Arizona College Activity Center, Lee Little Theater, 1014 N. College Avenue, Thatcher, Arizona. We will hold the Silver City hearing at Western New Mexico University, White Hall Auditorium, 1000 College Street, Silver City, New Mexico. We will hold the Camp Verde hearing at the Camp Verde Unified Schools Multi-Use Complex Theater, 280 Camp Lincoln Road, Camp Verde, Arizona. We will start all hearings promptly at 7:00 p.m. and end them no later than 9:00 p.m. To subscribe to AnimalNet, send mail to: (subscription is free) 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 http://www.oac.uoguelph.ca/riskcomm archived at: http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/courses/ansc481/animal_net.html