ANIMALNET OCTOBER 23, 2000

Chicken sales plunge after scare over deadly virus
S. African farmer breaks milk transport ban in foot-and-mouth zone
USDA OKS expanding bovine tuberculosis eradication program
On guard for our water
If you buy animal feed over the internet, beware
Municipalities asked to support water buffalo
B.C. tightens net to prevent escapes of farmed salmon
Conference announcement
Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; final determination of
critical habitat for the San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta
sandiegoensis); final rule
miGratory bird hunting; temporary approval of tin shot as nontoxic for
hunting waterfowl and coots during the 2000-2001 season
"Effectiveness of anthelmintics: specific recommendations for equine"

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Australia, Canadian Pork Council, Ontario Pork, Tyson Foods, Ontario Egg
Producers, Ontario Farm Animal Council, U.S. National Cattlemens Beef
Association, the Rutgers Food Risk Analysis Initiative, Ag-West Biotech,
Land Oĵ Lakes Feed, Capital Health, Animal Industry Foundation, American
Feed Industry Assn., the Ontario Soybean Growers Marketing Board, Food
Industry Environmental Network, Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors, Chicken
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CHICKEN SALES PLUNGE AFTER SCARE OVER DEADLY VIRUS
October 22, 2000
Agence France Presse English
HONG KONG --  Sales of chicken have, according to this story, plummeted
after chickens on a farm in the New Territories tested positive for the bird
flu virus, which killed six people three years ago.
A worker at a poultry stall which also supplies restaurants and who would
only identify himself as Ho was cited as saying sales had plunged between 30
and 40 percent, adding, "Of course business is bad."
The owner of Mei Gei chicken stall, named Chan, was cited as saying business
had been reduced by half after chickens on a farm in Yuen Long in the New
Territories were found to be exposed to the deadly H5 virus last week,
adding, "We have already reduced the number of chickens we get from the
wholesaler. We usually do about 4,000 Hong Kong dollars (512.82 US dollars)
(in business) a day but now we are down to about 2,000 Hong Kong dollars."
The government carried out further testing on Saturday and tested chickens
from 19 farms in the New Territories. All the farms were found to be
"clean."
But chicken sales had already plunged by 70 percent on Saturday, the South
China Sunday Morning Post reported Kwok Chi-yau, spokesman for the Duck and
Geese Tradersı Mutual Aid Society, as saying.
About 5,000 chickens from the farm in Yuen Long where the virus was tested
positive had reached the market since the last inspection, but health
officials believed they were safe for consumption, Ming Pao Daily News said.




S. AFRICAN FARMER BREAKS MILK TRANSPORT BAN IN FOOT-AND-MOUTH ZONE
October 21, 2000
Agence France Presse English
PIETERMARITZBURG, South Africa -- A South African farmer Saturday was,
according to this story, caught breaking a ban on moving milk in a
foot-and-mouth disease quarantine zone in Camperdown in the countryıs
KwaZulu-Natal province where the disease last month killed 70 pigs.
The governmentıs Foot-and-Mouth Disease Control Centre was cited as saying
the.
farmer was charged with endangering the provinceıs foot-and-mouth disease
containment programme and will appear in court on Monday, adding that it was
the first contravention of the ban on transporting milk that was passed in
the 10-kilometre (six-mile) zone in Camperdown, in the east of the province,
on Friday.
Farmers had up to then been forbidden only to move milk into and out of the
zone but the restrictions were tightened after some farmers were seen
transporting milk out of the area.
The centreıs John McDonald was quoted as telling the SAPA news agency that,
"We have every sympathy for farmers ... but repeated attempts to breach the
regulations are grossly irresponsible."
He said 500 policemen, soldiers, veterinary officials and traffic officers
were manning roadblocks to enforce the ban in the zone where a new case of
foot-and-mouth was detected in a cow last week.




USDA OKS EXPANDING BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS ERADICATION PROGRAM
October 23, 2000
www.meatingplace.com
by Bryan Salvage
A declaration of emergency, authorizing the transfer of $44 million this
year to expand the bovine tuberculosis eradication program in the United
States, was signed by USDA Secretary Dan Glickman. This is an initial
payment on what is expected to be a multi-year effort.
"These emergency funds will be used to help curb this disease in the United
States,"
Glickman said. "The spread of the disease in this country could compromise
international and domestic trade of U.S. animals and animal products and
threaten producers with losses and consumers with price increases."
Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic and debilitating disease that primarily
affects cattle, bison, and cervine species, which include elk and deer, USDA
reports. Recent scientific tests have identified a significant bovine
tuberculosis threat from infected wildlife, especially
free-ranging deer, which in turn, transmit the disease to nearby cattle.
In Michigan, eight herds of cattle were infected with tuberculosis and the
U.S. cattle population is being threatened by recurring infections of dairy
herds in Texas along the U.S.-Mexican border.
USDAıs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will expand the bovine
tuberculosis eradication program by:
Surveying for bovine tuberculosis in U.S. wildlife and zoos;
Improving federal diagnostics capabilities and national surveillance for the
disease;
Making indemnity payments to farmers for the depopulation of infected and
high-risk herds; Establishing identification requirements for animals
imported into the United States for feeding and slaughter. This emergency
declaration is effective immediately and is available on the web at
USDA.gov.




ON GUARD FOR OUR WATER
October 23, 2000
The Vancouver Province
A2
Frank Luba
B.C. is, according to this story, cracking down on cow dung and chicken
litter.
In a year when six people were killed and 2,000 sickened by polluted water
in Walkerton, Ont., authorities in B.C. have, the story adds, decided to
enforce more strictly the rules that protect our drinking water.
The story says that most of the Lower Mainland gets its water from
reservoirs in protected watersheds, but well water is also used in Surrey,
Langley and throughout the Fraser Valley.
More than 10,000 wells supply up to 325,000 people living in the valley,
which is dotted with farms.
Could a Walkerton-like disaster happen here?
Bev Anderson, the Agricultural Waste Control Regulations and the Code of
Agricultural Practice for Waste Management was quoted as responding, "Oh
sure."
Anderson was cited as saying the tougher enforcement this year has resulted
in the squad finding about twice as many infractions as last year.
In just the first three days of increased inspections after the regulations
took effect on Oct. 1, the officers found 23 of the most common
infractions‹uncovered manure piles.
The regulations require manure piles to be covered from Oct. 1 to April 1 to
prevent the escape of agricultural waste.
Violators were warned, and if they donıt comply with the rules, they face
$575 tickets. A further infraction usually results in a court case.
Manure is often disposed of by spreading it on growing fields to provide
nutrients, but thatıs not allowed in the fall and winter on bare land,
harvested fields or on poorly established cover crops.
Spreading manure on grassland from November to January isnıt recommended
either, because itıs the rainy season in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver
Island. Thatıs when the risk of leachate or runoff is greatest‹which is also
why manure piles have to be covered by tarpaulins.
The poultry industry isnıt land-intensive, so farmers donıt usually have
enough acreage to dispose of chicken manure.
But "litter," as itıs called in the poultry business, is light, so itıs
often trucked away to areas in the Interior or Delta, where it can be used
to enrich the soil.
Jake Friesen, president of the B.C. Egg Producers Association, was quoted as
saying, "Iım a long-time resident of the Fraser Valley and when my family
moved here in 1936, the land around here produced precious little in the
highland areas. After all these years of application of organic
fertilizer‹manure‹ thereıs a lot of this land that has been changed
significantly to where today itıs rather productive ground. Now we have such
an aversion, weıre almost paranoid about using any fertilizer or manure. The
other thing I have difficulty with, and most farmers would, is we come down
harshly on guys who have manure from animals, organic stuff, but chemical
fertilizers can be applied without restrictions. Is one product more
dangerous to the aquifer than another?"
Dairy farmer Ben Brandesma of Abbotsford was quoted as blaming any manure
problems on a "bad apple or two. The manure is . . . a resource. I have
crops of corn and
grass. Itıs good for the land. If Iım not using it, Iım buying fertilizer."
Brandesma stores manure from his 100 dairy cows in a liquid state in a
specially constructed concrete pit with a roof. The facility is probably
worth about $140,000, and heıs not happy that he had to pay for almost all
of it‹unlike dairy producers in Washington state, who get subsidies of as
much as 90 per cent..




IF YOU BUY ANIMAL FEED OVER THE INTERNET, BEWARE:
October 23, 2000
from a press release
OLYMPIA, Wash., -- One of the beauties of the Internet is the ability to buy
or sell products over great distances.
Itıs a little like mail order in that you can find products that may not be
available locally or even in your state. But, how do you know youıre getting
what you paid for? To identify animal feed Web sites promoting products for
unapproved purposes, or making false or misleading health claims, the state
Department of Agriculture participated Oct. 11 in the first nationwide "Surf
Day." The first search was limited to Web sites that sell or distribute
horse feed or horse feed supplements.
Department of Agriculture found nine companies selling 20 products. All of
the companies have products for which they are making outright or implied
drug claims that may not have been approved by the Food and Drug
Administration. Seven are not licensed to do business in Washington.
A letter will be sent to the seven unlicensed companies advising them of
Washingtonıs licensing and registration requirements. And, all nine
companies will receive letters requesting labels for the 20 products.
"We will take appropriate regulatory action after we confirm with the Food
and Drug Administration that the claims on the products are misleading or
unproven," said Ali Kashani, feed and fertilizer compliance coordinator at
Department of Agriculture. All of the information collected will be sent to
the appropriate committee of the Association of Feed Control Officials,
which will compile the data. An educational response will be developed for
firms found to be out of compliance. Follow-up activities may include
training and compliance monitoring.
The companies identified by Department of Agriculture are based in
Minnesota, Nevada, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Arizona, California, Australia
and Germany. Among the 20 products were:
Five herbal mixtures claiming to promote calming, mitigate excessive
bleeding or cure colitis.
Six supplements claiming to reduce irritability, promote calmness, allow
offspring to reach genetic potential, act as an anti-inflammatory, act as a
bronchial dilator, or improve performance.
Five claiming to be biological aids that furnish ultra-trace minerals;
promote faster healing; decrease symptoms of arthritis; raise hormone levels
to make horses more competitive; or relieve stiffness in legs, tendon
strains, and swelling in the joints.
Three homeopathic products that claim to give "fantastic results," be a
"powerful anti-inflammatory," "make a horse feel really good," or help relax
the horse.
One high calorie diet claims to aid environmentally challenged, anorexic or
weak foals.
Surf Day was sponsored by the Association of American Feed Control Officials
in partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and feed control
officials from many states and Canada. Each participant was assigned three
search engines. For four hours they surfed the Web looking for Internet
vendors selling equine feeds and equine feed supplements that may not be in
compliance with federal and state commercial feed regulations.





MUNICIPALITIES ASKED TO SUPPORT WATER BUFFALO
October 22, 2000
Cowichan Valley Citizen
Page 4
Scott Stanfield
CVRD directors will, according to this story, go to bat for Darrel and
Anthea Archer at next weekıs annual conference of the Union of B.C.
Municipalities (UBCM) in Victoria.
The Valley delegates have prepared a statement asking Lyle Vanclief,
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, to extend the quarantine period for
the Archerıs water buffaloes to "allow for proper and thorough analysis of
the herd by responsible agricultural authorities and veterinarians."
They will also ask that federal agriculture authorities compensate the
Archers to offset their costs incurred should the final decision result in
an order to destroy the herd.
The CVRD board announced their intentions Wednesday before a crowd of about
30 people to discuss the water buffalo situation.




B.C. TIGHTENS NET TO PREVENT ESCAPES OF FARMED SALMON THE TIMES-HERALD
(MOOSE JAW)
October 22, 2000
Canadian Press
VICTORIA -- Fish farmers in British Columbia will, according to this story,
face tighter regulations designed to prevent escapes of farmed salmon
species into the wild.
The story says that Fisheries Minister Corky Evans will introduce new and
amended aquaculture rules Wednesday. He will also announce several pilot
projects to test environmentally sensitive fish farming techniques.
The new regulations, effective Oct. 31, require every B.C. fish farmer to
submit a written fish escape and response plan to the ministry.
The written report must also include: predator avoidance plans, schedules of
inspection and maintenance of containment structures, and descriptions of
existing and proposed containment structures.




CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
October 21, 2000
Fifth International Congress of Domestic and Creole Breeds
26 November 2000 to 2 December 2000, Havana, Cuba
The Congress will be held November 28 to December 1.
The objective of the Congress is to facilitate international interchange
concerning the experiments and results in programs of conservation and use
of animal genetic resources; to present different methods and strategies
that are being utilized today in programs of conservation and use of animal
genetic resources as well as in the productive sector; and to present the
principal results that
Cuba has had in its program of conservation and use of animal genetic
resources, with emphasis on Creole bovine livestock, the walking horse, the
trotting horse, the Creole hog, the pelibuey ovine, the Creole goat as well
as
the new vaccine breeds crimousin, tainos de Cuba and Siboney de Cuba.
Presentations can be made in either English or Spanish.
The sponsoring institutions have developed a program of educational
activities for the international participants in the Congress. This
educational program will be held November 26 and 27 and December 2.  The
program includes a visit to an animal production enterprise.  The call for
participation in the congress and related educational program is issued to
agronomists, agronomical engineers, veterinarians, producers, livestock
breeders, and specialists in animal genetic
development.  The price varies from $1343 to $1832 (U.S. dollars) according
to the hotel accommodations selected by the participant.  The price includes
registration and program fees for all the activities, 8 nights lodging, all
transportation in Cuba, services of guide, services of translator, and
services of teachers in the educational program.  The fee does not include
air travel to and from Havana.
For more information, e-mail the conference organizer at
cemck@presby.edu





ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS; FINAL DETERMINATION OF
CRITICAL HABITAT FOR THE SAN DIEGO FAIRY SHRIMP (BRANCHINECTA
SANDIEGOENSIS); FINAL RULE
October 23, 2000
[Federal Register: (Volume 65, Number 205)]
[Page 63437-63466]
[DOCID:fr23oc00-7]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AF97
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate
critical habitat pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended
(Act), for the San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis). The San
Diego fairy shrimp is listed as an endangered species under the Act. A total
of approximately 1,629 hectares (4,025 acres) of land falls within the
boundaries of designated critical habitat. Critical habitat for the San
Diego fairy shrimp is located in San Diego and Orange Counties, California.
Section 7 of the Act requires Federal agencies to ensure that actions they
authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to destroy or adversely modify
designated critical habitat. As required by section 4 of the Act, we
considered economic and other relevant impacts prior to making a final
decision on what areas to designate as critical habitat.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Berg, Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Fish
and Wildlife Office, at the above address (telephone 760/431-9440; facsimile
760/431-5902).





MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING; TEMPORARY APPROVAL OF TIN SHOT AS
NONTOXIC FOR HUNTING WATERFOWL AND COOTS DURING THE 2000-2001 SEASON
October 23, 2000
[Federal Register: (Volume 65, Number 205)]
[Page 63225-63226]
[DOCID:fr23oc00-13]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; correction.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) published in the
September 25, 2000, Federal Register, a proposal to grant temporary approval
of tin shot as nontoxic for hunting waterfowl and coots during the 2000-01
hunting season. Inadvertently, the deadline for public comment was stated as
November 24, 2000. This correction amends the deadline for public comment to
October 24, 2000.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon Andrew, Chief, Office of Migratory Bird
Management, (703) 358-1714.





"EFFECTIVENESS OF ANTHELMINTICS: SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EQUINE"
October 19, 2000
[Federal Register: (Volume 65, Number 203)]
[Notices]
[Page 62723-62724]
>From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19oc00-85]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 00D-1532]
 International Cooperation on Harmonisation of Technical
Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products (VICH);
Draft Guidances for Industry on "Effectiveness of Anthelmintics:
Specific Recommendations for Equine" (VICH GL15), "Effectiveness of
Anthelmintics: Specific Recommendations for Porcine" (VICH GL16), and
"Effectiveness of Anthelmintics: Specific Recommendations for Canine"
(VICH GL19); Availability; Request for Comments
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the
availability for comment of three draft guidances for industry (Nos.
109, 110, and 111, respectively) entitled: "Effectiveness of
Anthelmintics: Specific Recommendations for Equine" (VICH GL15),
"Effectiveness of Anthelmintics: Specific Recommendations for
Porcine" (VICH GL16), and "Effectiveness of Anthelmintics: Specific
Recommendations for Canine" (VICH GL19). These related draft guidance
documents have been developed by the International Cooperation on
Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary
Medicinal Products (VICH). They are intended to standardize and
simplify methods used in the evaluation of new anthelmintics submitted
for approval to the European Union, Japan, and the United States.
DATES: Submit written comments on the draft guidances by December 18, 2000,
to ensure their adequate consideration in preparation of the final guidance
document. General comments on agency guidance documents are welcome at any
time.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft guidances entitled "Effectiveness of
Anthelmintics: Specific Recommendations for Equine" (VICH GL15),
"Effectiveness of Anthelmintics: Specific Recommendations for Porcine" (VICH
GL16), and "Effectiveness of Anthelmintics: Specific Recommendations for
Canine" (VICH GL19) may be obtained on the Internet from the CVM home page
at http://www.fda.gov/cvm/fda/TOCs/ guideline.html. Persons without Internet
access may submit written requests for single copies of the draft guidances
to the Communications Staff (HFV-12), Center for Veterinary Medicine, Food
and Drug Administration, 7500 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855. Send one
self-addressed adhesive label to assist that office in processing your
requests.
Submit written comments to the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305),
Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville,
MD 20852.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Regarding the VICH: Sharon R. Thompson, Center for Veterinary
Medicine (HFV-3), Food and Drug Administration, 7500 Standish Pl.,
Rockville, MD 20855, 301-594-1798, e-mail: sthompso@cvm.fda.gov, or
Carole R. Andres, Center for Veterinary Medicine (HFV-1), Food and Drug
Administration, 7500 Standish Pl., Rockville, MD 20855, 301-827-6524,
e-mail: candres1@cvm.fda.gov.
Regarding the draft guidance documents: Thomas Letonja, Center for
Veterinary Medicine (HFV-135), Food and Drug Administration, 7500
Standish Pl., Rockville, MD 20855, 301-827-7576, e-mail:
tletonja@cvm.fda.gov.


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