ANIMALNET AUGUST 17, 1999 Swine Fever reported in Germany's Brandenburg State Hong Kong fishermen angry over seizure of Sacred Turtle The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirms meat meal free of herbicide Beef industry gets boost through rural jobs programs HSUS anti-fur campaign -- arrest warrant out for cat butcher in Philippines Blair angers animal groups in ancient 'primitive' Palio; spectacle Japan cabinet to house Biotech promotion office Report to dairy producers from the Lethbridge Research Centre 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, 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, and the Agricultural Adaptation Council (CanAdapt Program). archived at: http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/courses/ansc481/animal_net.html SWINE FEVER REPORTED IN GERMANY'S BRANDENBURG STATE August 17, 1999 Reuters. BERLIN--A farm in Germany's eastern state of Brandenburg has, according to this story, been hit by an outbreak of swine fever, the state's agriculture ministry said on Tuesday. The ministry was cited as saying that the highly contagious disease, which is not harmful to humans, had been detected at a farm in Jakobshagen with 1,450 pigs, and had probably been transmitted by wild pigs in the area. The farm has been under quarantine since last Friday and preparations were being made to cull the herd. There was no evidence that the disease had spread to any other farms. HONG KONG FISHERMEN ANGRY OVER SEIZURE OF SACRED TURTLE August 17, 1999 The Guardian John Gittings HONG KONG--This story explained that Tin Hau, the mother goddess of the sea, has lost her sacred turtle and is angry with the Hong Kong Department of Agriculture and Fisheries--or so many Hong Kong fishermen believe. A 30-inch long green sea turtle, kept on display at the floating Tin Hau temple in the Causeway Bay typhoon shelter for the past four years, was, according to this story, seized last week by government inspectors and released into the ocean. Temple custodian Leung Hau was quoted as saying, "They forced their way on to my boat and behaved roughly, without respect for religion,"adding that more than 600 local fishermen believed the turtle brought them luck in guiding their boats to make a good catch and return home safely. If the turtle agitated its flippers in the small tank where it was kept, they knew bad weather was on the way and would stay in the typhoon shelter. Fishing communities all over south China worship Tin Hau, who was was cited as saying that to have been the daughter of a 12th-century mandarin in Fujian province. They believe she learned to walk on water and avert shipwreck and seasickness. Leung was further cited as saying that he had inherited the turtle from a previous temple custodian but that the creature really belonged to the goddess. A spokesman for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries took a different view and was quoted as saying, "We were trying to conserve a highly endangered species and everything was done in accordance with the law," adding that the department also suggested that the turtle's living quarters were too restricted-- which is probably why it agitated its flippers. Trade in the turtles is banned under the convention for international trade of endangered species but it continues at an alarming rate. The turtle is, according to this story, the main component in turtle soup, and its shells are used for jewelry and spectacle frames. THE CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY CONFIRMS MEAT MEAL FREE OF HERBICIDE CONTAMINATION August. 15 /99 Canadian Food Inspection Agency news release http://www.cfia-acia.agr.ca/english/corpaffr/newsrelease/990815e.html Ottawa -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed that meat meal produced by a Manitoba rendering plant does not contain a detectable level of Diquat and is approved for use in animal feed. The meat meal, used in poultry and swine feed, was sent for testing after the Agency learned that four dairy cows, which died after being sprayed with a homemade mixture of herbicide and insecticide, had been sent to the plant for rendering. The herbicide, Diquat, is used to control weeds and is not intended for use on animals. The insecticide, Disvap IV, is an approved fly control product, safe for use on animals when used appropriately. Laboratory testing focussed on the herbicide. Results indicated that the meat meal did not contain a detectable level of Diquat. The CFIA, which administers the Feeds Act and Regulations, went into action after learning that the animals had been sent for rendering. The Agency worked closely with other federal and provincial departments, to determine what was in the homemade mixture and whether it posed a threat to human or animal health. Although it was not conclusively determined that the animals were rendered, the tests were conducted on the meat meal produced by the rendering plant as a precautionary measure. The CFIA earlier issued an Advisory to affected industry groups in Canada and the US alerting them to a possible problem. Both the rendering company and feed industry have co-operated with the investigation and helped to supply information regarding distribution of the product. The Agency has informed the rendering plant and other affected industry groups, in Canada and the US, of the test results. Any feed or food products being held pending test results can now be released. The Government of Canada is committed to working with industry to maintain a safe, high quality food supply for humans and animals. BEEF INDUSTRY GETS BOOST THROUGH RURAL JOBS PROGRAMS Aug. 16 /99 Canada NewsWire GUELPH, ON -- Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman today announced two projects representing a $4.2 million joint investment by the Ontario government and the private sector to improve Ontario's beef industry's competitive edge and create jobs for rural youth in the Guelph-Wellington area. ``Our job plan for rural economic development and job creation is working,'' Hardeman said. ``I'm pleased that we will be investing with producer organizations and local businesses to develop a production and marketing alliance and create rural youth internship positions in the Guelph-Wellington area.'' ``These projects will provide rural youth with excellent training that will increase their employability and lead to permanent jobs close to home, increase the supply of well-trained meat processing workers in the Ontario workforce and enhance the province's beef industry,'' said Brenda Elliott, MPP Guelph. The Ontario Beef Interns Youth Training Project will allow 250 young people to complete six-month internships at either Better Beef Limited or Watson Foods. They will be trained in meat and food processing, including Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) protocols and plant safety and hygiene procedures. In collaboration with the Ontario Cattlemen's Association the interns will also learn about the scope, complexity and economic importance of beef production in the province. ``One of the key ingredients for success in the beef processing industry is the availability of skilled and motivated workers,'' said Bennie de Jonge, President of Better Beef Limited/Watson Foods. ``To this end, Better Beef Limited has partnered with the Rural Youth Job Strategy and will hire 250 young rural trainees over the next two years.'' The Beef Production Alliance Development project is spearheaded by representatives from all sectors of the Ontario beef industry, including Beef Improvement Ontario, Ontario Cattlemen's Association, Ontario Cattle Feeders' Association, Agribrands Purina and MGI Meats. The project aims to develop a ``producer to consumer'' production and marketing system to produce beef products of optimal quality and consistency. ``This project, through the co-ordination of all sectors of the beef industry, will provide producers with the ability to produce beef more efficiently and profitably,'' said Tim Lambert, General Manager of Beef Improvement Ontario. ``It will also provide consumers with high quality food products of unsurpassed food safety.'' The $35-million Rural Youth Job Strategy (RYJS) was launched in September 1998 and is designed to enhance the employable skills of rural youth and encourage a climate for job creation and opportunities for business in rural Ontario. The $30-million Rural Job Strategy Fund (RJSF) was launched in the fall of 1997 to encourage partnerships in rural Ontario that enhance the quality of Ontario products, capitalize on marketing and export opportunities and encourage the adoption of new or upgraded information technology. Information and application forms are available at any ministry field office, on the internet at www.gov.on.ca/omafra and by calling 1-888-588-4111. (Version frangaise disponible) HSUS ANTI-FUR CAMPAIGN SEES FURTHER SUCCESS ABROAD ARREST WARRANT OUT FOR CAT BUTCHER IN PHILIPPINES Aug. 16 /99 PRNewswire WASHINGTON -- In mid-December 1998, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) released findings of an ongoing investigation on dog and cat fur processed in foreign nations, including the Philippines, and exported to the United States for purchase by American consumers. A police raid in the Philippines earlier this year resulted in the seizure of a cat fur processing facility owned by Gina Custodio. There is a warrant out for the arrest of Custodio, who is charged with violating that nation's Animal Welfare Act for maltreatment and torture of animals, and the killing of non-food animals. Her whereabouts remain unknown. "This incident is significant to consumers and lawmakers in the United States because it's entirely likely that pelts from these cats could have been exported to the U.S. as trim in hats, gloves, decorative accessories, toy stuffed animals and other products," said Rick Swain, vice president of investigative services at The HSUS. "We are thankful to law enforcement officials and the government of the Philippines for its cooperation and interest in ending this slaughter of animals." According to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society, Gina Custodio hired young boys to capture and strangle stray cats. After skinning the cats, the pelts were sold for export, while the meat was sold to chorizo sausage manufacturers. This is not the first time Custodio has been in trouble with the law, as authorities shut down her cat slaughterhouses in other locations. The HSUS investigation, which released findings of dog and cat fur in U.S. retail stores, conservatively estimates that more than two million cats and dogs fall victim to the fur industry each year. Consumers unwittingly purchase items of clothing with cat or dog fur trim because there are currently no labeling laws to protect consumers. Label laws currently exempt clothiers from listing the source of the fur in products as long as the product costs under $150. Furthermore, there is no enforcement on the federal level to prevent its export to U.S. markets. The HSUS hopes the U.S. Congress will change this. Legislation was introduced by U.S. Representative Jerry Kleczka (D-WI) and U.S. Senator William Roth, Jr. (R-DE) to ban the import and export of dog and cat fur, and to require labeling on all fur products. The HSUS is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than seven million members and constituents, and is opposed to the exploitive use of fur from any animal for any purpose. For more information on our efforts to end the exploitation of animals for their fur, visit us on the Internet at hsus.org. SOURCE Humane Society of the United States BLAIR ANGERS ANIMAL GROUPS IN ANCIENT 'PRIMITIVE' PALIO; SPECTACLE August 17 1999 The British Times/ PA News These stories explained that Tony Blair was fortunate to witness one of the first Palio races for years without casualties after ignoring the pleas of animal rights activists today to attend the controversial Palio horse race in Italy. The event, which only lasts 90 seconds, is traditionally so bloody it makes the Grand National look like a children's pony trek. A Downing Street spokesman was cited as defending Mr Blair's decision to attend the event-where horses have been killed in the past-as a purely personal one, adding, "He was at the Palia, which is a long standing cultural tradition in Siena, in a purely private capacity." Animal rights campaigners had warned the Prime Minister that to attend the event would be a serious mistake. While refusal would risk upsetting his Italian holiday hosts, Animal Aid director Andrew Tyler was cited as saying that Mr Blair would incur the wrath of the animal rights lobby at home if he did go, adding, "It is a primitive spectacle which appeals to the worst instincts in human nature. If he thinks that it is more important to be sitting next to some dignitary rather than acting with integrity, then he is making a serious mistake." These stories explained that the Palio, which dates back to the 14th century, is run each year in the Campo, the cobbled square in the centre of Siena, amid much colour and pageantry, and is a source of intense local pride. But even though the square is spread with sand and the corners of buildings padded with mattresses, critics say that the three-lap race around the Campo leads to frequent injuries-and even deaths-among the horses and should be banned. A total of 43 horses have been killed since 1970 as a result of falls in the Palio, according to Italy's Anti-Vivisection League, which campaigns against cruelty to animals. The race, run every July and August since medieval times, is a two-minute affair in which jockeys representing different parts of Siena ride their horses bareback three times around the piazza, whose cobblestones are covered with dirt for the race. Riders whip their horses, and many a horse and rider take a fall. According to Italy's Anti-vivisection League, which campaigns against cruelty to animals, a total of 43 horses have been killed since 1970 as a result of falls in the Palio. www.cc.utah.edu/~dwr7464/palio.html The history of the Palio of Siena http://firenze.net/events/culture/palio.htm All about the Palio www.sienanet.it/palio/contrade.htm www.comune.siena.it/palio/contrade.htm All about the flags of the Palio JAPAN CABINET TO HOUSE BIOTECH PROMOTION OFFICE August 16, 1999 Dow Jones News TOKYO (Nikkei) --This story explained that the Japanese government plans to form an industrial promotion group within the cabinet this year to oversee assistance and training policies related to biotechnology, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its Tuesday morning edition. The aim is, according to this story, to eliminate related bureaucratic overlap and turf wars, and to devise a strategy to promote R&D and commercialization in the field. The group will supervise and integrate the plans of various ministries initiated as part of Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's Millennium Project. Three subgroups, with representatives from academia and industry, will direct research, technical foundations and assistance for incorporation. Staffed by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, the Science and Technology Agency, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and other government offices, the group will draft annual plans as well as a basic five-year plan covering genetics research, cloning technology and other biotech fundamentals. Japan's current Y1 trillion domestic biotech industry is, the story says, expected to grow quickly, reaching Y25 trillion by 2010. European and U.S. companies and universities have, according to this story, already won patents in important areas, such as genetic modification. Japan hopes to catch up in what is expected to be one of the biggest growth sectors in the 21st century. REPORT TO DAIRY PRODUCERS FROM THE LETHBRIDGE RESEARCH CENTRE August 13, 1999 Lethbridge Research Centre Report Lethbridge Research Centre produces Annual Research Update. An overview of all research at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Lethbridge Research Centre is now available. The 1998/99 Annual Research Update is intended to provide the agricultural industry with an overview of research taking place in each of the major research sections at the Centre: Livestock Sciences, Crop Sciences and Land Resource Sciences. The report also contains key facts about the Centre, contact information and a list of personnel on site. The report will be of most interest to those who deal in research or who are interested in the research area, says director Dr. Steve Morgan Jones. Supplementary items highlighting specific Centre research projects are produced on an ongoing basis and widely distributed to producers and the industry. The new Annual Research Report will soon be available on the Lethbridge Research Centre Web site at http://res.agr.ca/leth. Print copies of the Report are available from Technology Transfer Officer Dr. Steve Mihok at the Lethbridge Research Centre, at P.O. Box 3000, Lethbridge, Alta. T1J 4B1, phone (403) 317-2207, fax (403) 382-3156. Report to dairy producers from the Lethbridge Research Centre. A special report designed to update dairy producers and industry on recent research progress at the Lethbridge Research Centre is now available. It includes a brief overview of study results and initiatives, including feed enzyme technology, fiber in barley-based diets, hulless barley, rumen-protected amino acids, bacteriocins and the benefits of adding canola oil to feed. The report also contains contact numbers to get more information. The Lethbridge Research Centre has one of the largest multi-disciplinary teams for bovine research in Canada, including the national program for beef production research. For Canada's dairy industry, that means many benefits. The Centre has conducted studies with dairy cows since the mid-1960s. Today, core studies in ruminant nutrition, physiology and microbiology all have direct benefits for dairy producers, and are complemented by related studies in manure and pest management, forages and animal behavior. A complete copy of the Dairy Report will shortly be available on the Lethbridge Research Centre Web site at http://res.agr.ca/leth. 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 http://www.oac.uoguelph.ca/riskcomm archived at: http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/courses/ansc481/animal_net.html