ANIMALNET APRIL 23, 2000 Scrapie, sheep, non-reporting - UK Leptospirosis, Canine - Australia (NSW) Pesticide cited in Gull kill Mandatory rules on livestock feed angers farmers Antibiotics: handle with care Results of extensive genetics project released Sask. Elk death sparks herd quarantine Whirling disease, Trout - USA (Utah) Animal tests man accused of blackmail Animal welfare act worries hunters, fishermen German vote: animal rights amendment defeated Notice of issuance of five permits for incidental take of threatened species. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; coastal cutthroat trout Marine mammals; file no. 738-1454-03 Fisheries of the exclusive economic zone off Alaska; Scallop fishery An unkind cut for the pampas 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 Food Risk Analysis Initiative, Ag-West Biotech, Capital Health, Animal Industry Foundation, American Feed Industry Assn., the Ontario Soybean Growers Marketing Board, Food Indsutry Environmental Network, Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors, Chicken Farmers of Canada, MDS Nordion, American Meat Institute, USDA Veterinary Services (Fort Collins) Alberta Farm Animal Council, and the Agricultural Adaptation Council (CanAdapt Program). archived at: http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/riskcomm/archives/animalnet-archives.htm SCRAPIE, SHEEP, NON-REPORTING - UK 20 April 2000 A ProMED-mail post http: //www.promedmail.org From: Tom Pringle through the BSE- list Source: The Guardian, from the 15 Apr 2000 Vet Record [edited] Farmers are hampering attempts to check whether BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) has spread from cows to sheep by failing to report a similar disease in their flocks, a report by government veterinarians suggests. They conclude only about 1 in 8 sheep farmers who suspect their livestock is suffering from scrapie is obeying the law by telling the authorities, raising concerns over the effectiveness of efforts to control the disease. The veterinarians, who surveyed more than 7000 sheep farmers, found many who did not think any of their animals had experienced scrapie did not know the clinical signs of the disease, which include rubbing up against posts because of skin irritation, nervous and aggressive behavior and an unsteady gait. The investigation was demanded by scientific advisers on BSE and its fatal human equivalent, variant CJD (Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease, vCJD), which is probably caused by eating infected beef. They want more checks on brains of slaughtered sheep to see whether they have BSE too, and improvements to scrapie surveillance. BSE has never been proven to exist in sheep outside of the laboratory, while scrapie has been endemic for more than 250 years and never linked to human disease. But some scientists believe scrapie may have caused BSE through recycling of infected sheep in animal feed. The diseases are hard to distinguish and if BSE were found, the only method of control would be culling affected animals and their lambs. There would be disastrous economic implications. Even with scrapie, the veterinarians say "many farmers may be reluctant to report cases owing to the possible loss of markets, both national and international, and the potential loss of livelihood". As with BSE and vCJD, there is no test for live animals and the government is belated in introducing the compulsory tagging of sheep to improve checks on their provenance. Failure to report scrapie can attract unlimited fines. Last year there were 593 confirmed cases compared with 328 in 1993, 508 in 1997 and 499 in 1998. This is a small proportion of the 40 million sheep and lambs, and far fewer than the 2250 BSE cases in cattle confirmed last year, but the disease is most likely to be a problem in the 20 million breeding flock where the animals are older than most sold for slaughter. Peter Smith, acting chairman of the spongiform encephalopathy advisory committee (SEAC) on BSE-like diseases, said: "We have always been aware scrapie was likely to be quite substantially under-reported. "I don't think this came as a great shock to us. We are looking at ways to eradicate it from Britain and we would feel a lot more comfortable if it was not around." The veterinarians, from the government's veterinary laboratory agency and the institute of animal health in Compton, Berkshire, analyzed responses to a questionnaire sent to farmers with flocks of more than 30 breeding ewes. Nearly 15% thought they had experienced scrapie and 2.7% thought they had had it in the past year. A comparison with the number of farmers who reported suspect cases to the Ministry of Agriculture suggested only 13% of those with suspect cases were doing so. The findings, published in the Veterinary Record, said flocks in Yorkshire, Humberside and the Shetland Islands appeared to be most at risk. These are areas involved in anti-scrapie measures, including attempts to breed resistant stock. Officials believe the rise in scrapie cases recorded in recent years may be due to improved reporting. But the ministry said yesterday: "The reporting rate is unacceptably low." In 1998, it introduced compensation for farmers whose suspect animals were destroyed, and it was issuing publicity material to increase awareness of the disease. ProMED-mail e-mail: promed@promedmail.org [If owners do not know the clinical signs of scrapie and are not calling veterinarians and are not reporting the disease, what other diseases are going unreported. Undoubtedly there needs to be some animal handler/owner education with regard to diseases as well as with regard to what is a reportable disease. The issue of Scapie in sheep as it relates to BSE in cattle is somewhat gray. There is the question of Scrapie and BSE perhaps being the same disease in different animals, yet the pathological lesions and manifestation of the diseases are somewhat different. This is important because of scrapie getting into the food chain of humans. Further, it is important because apparently there is a buy out plan for animals with BSE but not with scrapie. Without a compensation package in place there is little incentive for animal owners to report a disease and have their flock wiped out. There is also the issue of BSE in Sheep as demonstrated in the laboratory and if BSE is a real disease in sheep, then there is another mechanism for the disease to be potentially transmitted to human beings. - Mod.TG] LEPTOSPIROSIS, CANINE - AUSTRALIA (NSW) April 21/00 A ProMED-mail post From: M. Cosgriff Source: Sydney Morning Herald, 21 Apr 2000 [edited] Wet days and cold nights which bring rats and mice indoors have caused an outbreak of the usually fatal dog disease leptospirosis. One clinic near Camden has had more than a dozen dogs die in recent weeks from the disease, which can be passed to humans. Rossmore Veterinary Hospital's Dr Ted Humphries is waiting on blood tests to confirm whether he contracted the disease, which causes severe flu-like symptoms in humans, though it is not fatal. "Of all the diseases animals can get, it's one of the ones I'd least like to catch," he said. "It's a flu-like disease, except a little worse. You just seem to collapse and go to bed." Dogs contract the disease - which has a residual presence among rodent populations - from eating infected rats and mice or drinking water contaminated with rodent urine. New South Wales Health infectious diseases expert Dr Jeremy McAnulty warned people handling infected dogs to take precautions. "It highlights the need for people to always practice good hand washing and avoid contact with animal excretions," he said. NSW Agriculture veterinary pathologist Dr Rod Reece said dog owners should control rodent populations and ensure surface water was removed from kennels. Problem areas are the green belt, particularly on the south-western fringe of Sydney. Dogs at risk, particularly those allowed to range freely, should be vaccinated. PESTICIDE CITED IN GULL KILL Sat 22 Apr 2000 The Telegram (St. John's) Provincial veterinarian Dr. Hugh Whitney was cited as saying that a pesticide known as fensulfothion was the likely cause of the death of hundreds of herring gulls and other birds in the St. John's area last week. This story explained that fensulfothion, or Dasanit, is an agricultural pesticide previously used by farmers for root maggot control but its use has been discontinued. Whitney was cited as saying that it is likely the pesticide had been disposed of at the Robin Hood Bay landfill site and the container busted open by equipment at the dump where the gulls got at it before it was covered in again. Whitney was further cited as saying that while the results are preliminary, they must be considered as a possible cause of the deaths of more than 700 gulls and a small number of crows and starlings. He was cited as saying that other causes such as botulism are still being considered and tissue samples from dead birds have been sent to the veterinarian college in Prince Edward Island for testing. MANDATORY RULES ON LIVESTOCK FEED ANGERS FARMERS April 20, 2000 Western Producer Ian Bell Brandon bureau http://www.producer.com/articles/20000420/production/20000420prod01.html Bill Vaags, a hog producer from Dugald, Man., was cited as questioning the need for new federal rules to monitor medicated livestock feeds. Vaags, an executive member of the Canadian Pork Council and president of Canada Pork International, was cited as saying that Canada's hog producers already are implementing a voluntary quality assurance program, adding, "A producer-driven program will, at all times, carry more credibility than something that's pushed down the throat by government." Included in the Canadian Quality Assurance program are measures to encourage the safe and proper use of medications. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency was cited as wanting to establish mandatory controls for the manufacture of medicated feeds. The regulations, to be enforced by federal inspectors, would, according to this story, apply to commercial feed mills and farmers. Commodity groups were cited as wanting the proposed regulations either changed or scrapped so that they do not duplicate the efforts of voluntary on-farm food safety programs. Yves Labbé, manager of production and food safety for the Chicken Farmers of Canada, was quoted as saying, "I think it's an unnecessary burden. The bulk of the burden will be on the farmers themselves." Hog, cattle and poultry producers were cited as worrying that the CFIA will enforce the regulations on a cost-recovery basis, meaning producers would have to pay for inspections and licensing. Labbé was cited as saying that the federal regulations might also force farmers to upgrade equipment used to make medicated feeds, adding, "Most of our chicken farms are family farms. They don't have nutritionists and they don't have biochemists on site like a lot of big feed mills have." The CFIA was cited as estimating that almost a third of the livestock feed used in Canada contains medications.There are, this story explained, more than 500 commercial feed mills and several thousand livestock producers who manufacture some or all of their own rations. According to the federal inspection agency, the use of feed medications is among the food safety issues coming under greater scrutiny around the globe, forcing countries to adopt programs that offer some assurance that the food they produce is safe. Sergio Tolusso, the CFIA's feed program co-ordinator, was quoted as saying, "We're trading in a world market so we have to keep up just to stay competitive, if not to raise the bar." Administration cost The agency was cited as estimating that it will cost $10.3 million to inspect and license all medicated feed manufacturers during the proposed regulatory phase-in period, followed by $5 million a year to run the program. Tolusso was cited as saying that CFIA has not decided whether to charge fees for inspections and licensing. The agency was cited as estimating complying with the regulations will cost the industry $22 million, which covers things such as product sampling, additional record keeping and infrastructure changes. The Canadian Cattlemen's Association was cited as questioning those figures and suggests that the number of affected producers will be greater than the agency estimates. The CFIA was cited as regarding on-farm food safety programs as insufficient because they are not mandatory. It was further cited as saying that it might recognize them as they evolve and gain acceptance in lieu of strict adherence to some or all of the federal regulations. Cattle, hog and poultry producers were cited as saying that they understand the principles behind what CFIA wants to do. However, they hope there is room for negotiation. Vaags was quoted as saying, "We've very concerned about this thing. It's grossly overdone and we'd like the (federal minister of agriculture) to reconsider." The deadline for suggestions on the proposed regulations has been extended to May 5. ANTIBIOTICS: HANDLE WITH CARE April 22, 2000 The Washington Post, A17 Michael F. Jacobson and Patricia B. Lieberman The approval last fall by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the new antibiotic Synercid was, according to this story, good news for some people who get infected with certain drug-resistant bacteria. The bad news is, this story explained, that no one knows how long Synercid will be effective at rescuing gravely ill patients. And it's the Clinton administration's flawed antibiotics policies that are, according to this story, largely to blame. Antibiotics, unlike many other drugs, lose their strength the more they are used. Bacteria develop resistance, and scientists are, this story says, discovering just how fast that occurs. In 1987 antibiotic-resistant pneumococci bacteria were almost unknown but, by 1997 as many as 40 per cent of pneumococcus cultures were resistant to penicillin and other commonly used antibiotics. And, this story explained, in one dangerous strain of salmonella that is resistant to at least five antibiotics, resistance has grown from less than one per cent in 1979 to 34 per cent today. This story further explained that Synercid's effectiveness may diminish quickly, because a close cousin, Virginiamycin, has been fed to poultry and hogs for at least 20 years to promote growth. Unfortunately, bacteria that develop resistance to Virginiamycin also are, this story says, resistant to Synercid. Thus, agricultural use of Virginiamycin has, according to this story, planted the seeds of resistance in hospital wards across the country. The FDA has, according to this story, inconsistent policies concerning antibiotics. The division that regulates human drugs seeks to limit the use of antibiotics. On the other hand, its animal-drug division permits, this story explained, antibiotics to be squandered. This story explained that last September the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) too readily approved the use of two feed additives containing Virginiamycin for use in poultry, expanding the already widespread use of human-use antibiotics to fatten livestock or treat sick animals. Where the CVM is cited as proceeding with more dispatch than caution, others are putting the brakes on animal antibiotic use. For example, in 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) was cited as recommending that any antibiotic used in human medicine should not be fed to livestock to promote growth. That's because using those drugs in animals can lead to resistance in bacteria, such as salmonella and Campylobacter, that contaminate food and infect people. The European Union recently heeded the WHO advice. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was cited as calling the EU's action "scientifically justifiable," but the FDA has done little to stop unnecessary farm uses of antibiotics. It has, according to this story, not granted a legal petition filed a year ago by more than 40 health and consumer groups and 50 scientists that called on the FDA to comply with the WHO recommendation. Instead, the FDA is, this story explained, developing a plan, still years from being implemented, that focuses on limiting future approvals but is virtually silent on curtailing the massive existing uses. This story further explained that the European ban has triggered opposing messages from the administration. The CDC was cited as saying that banning human-use antibiotics from livestock feed protects the public health. But the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative sees things differently. Last August it, this story explained, sought to protect exports of American meat and antibiotics. Special Trade Ambassador Peter Scher was cited as charging that the EU's ban failed to follow global-trade rules. (The Europeans rejected the trade representative's missive.) A letter from the FDA included in a1999 General Accounting Office report was quoted as stating, "[T]he fact that use of antimicrobials in agriculture contributes to resistance in food-borne pathogens has been established." But the same report has, this story says, the U.S. Department of Agriculture claiming the opposite‹namely, that "more research is needed before decisions are made to further regulate or restrict the use of antibiotics in agriculture." If the value of antibiotics is to be preserved, those drugs must, according to this story, be used prudently, selectively and consistent with policies driven by health concerns. One blatantly imprudent practice that should, this story argues, be ended quickly is using human-use antibiotics to fatten livestock. A complementary strategy is to develop vaccines that reduce the need for antibiotics. Implementing those and other measures could extend greatly the usefulness of these precious medicines. Michael F. Jacobson is executive director and Patricia B. Lieberman a staff scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. RESULTS OF EXTENSIVE GENETICS PROJECT RELEASED April 20, 2000 Pork Leader (Newsletter) National Pork Producers Council http://www.nppc.org/NEWS/PorkLeader000420.html The most extensive and insightful research to date into sow longevity and reproduction was presented at the Maternal Line National Genetic Evaluation Program Symposium on April 19-20 in West Des Moines, Iowa. The checkoff-funded program was sponsored by the National Pork Board and implemented by NPPC. The symposium was attended by 90 producers, researchers and genetics company representatives. The maternal line program was the first complete evaluation of the genetic value of commercial sow lines using modern production facilities and management. The program evaluated gilts from six genetic lines for longevity and reproduction traits through four litters from January 1997 through August 1999. The symposium reviewed ways producers may reduce genetic costs of production, explained genetic and economic differences in sow longevity, and differences in sow reproductivity efficiency. A copy of the proceedings may be purchased for $15 by calling NPPC at 515-223-2600. SASK. ELK DEATH SPARKS HERD QUARANTINE April 20, 2000 Western Producer By Karen Briere Regina bureau http://www.producer.com/articles/20000420/production/20000420prod02.html This story explained that an elk found dead on a Swift Current, Sask., ranch this winter was infected with chronic wasting disease. George Luterbach, animal health program manager at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in Winnipeg, was cited as saying that the cause of death was confirmed March 10. The remaining 64 elk in the herd have been under quarantine since the death. None is displaying symptoms of the disease, he was cited as saying. Chronic wasting disease is, this story explained, a progressive fatal disease of the nervous system of cervids, including elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer. It is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, as are scrapie in sheep, bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. WHIRLING DISEASE, TROUT - USA (UTAH) April 21, 2000 ProMED Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2000 05:32:45 PDT From: M. Cosgriff Source: Associated press, 20 Apr 2000 [edited] Signs of whirling disease have been found at the Midway fish hatchery and it will mean the loss this season of more than 300 000 catchable rainbow trout, 21 percent of the catchable fish stocked in Utah each year. Traces of the parasitical disease were detected through new DNA testing. Standard tests continued to be negative, the state Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) said. It is the first time the disease has been found in a state-operated hatchery in Utah. The affected fish were found in dirt raceways at the lowest portion of the hatchery, closest to Deer Creek Reservoir, where the parasite recently was confirmed. It was believed the disease was introduced at the hatchery by fish-eating birds or other predators. The state Fish Health Board agreed to have 220 000 7- to 9-inch fish, which did not test positive for the disease, stocked in Jordanelle Reservoir, which also has tested positive for the parasite, said Tom Pettengill, DWR sport fisheries and aquatic education coordinator. Another 600 000 2-inch fish will be released at the Jordanelle and Deer Creek reservoirs, but, because of their small size, only a small percentage are expected to survive and grow large enough to be caught. Most of the catchable fish from Midway are stocked in northern, central and northeastern waters. To lessen the impact on these waters, some of the fish that would have been stocked in southern Utah from other hatcheries will be put in the northern waters."People are going to notice the loss of fish statewide, not just in the northern part of the state," Pettengill said. To make the best use of the available fish, the division will put most of them into reservoirs and lakes instead of rivers and streams. Pettengill said the fish survive better in the reservoirs and lakes, which means a higher return to the anglers. Whirling disease is caused by parasites attacking cartilage in the head and spine of young trout, deforming the fish. In advanced stages, the nervous system is affected and fish swim in circles. It is not harmful to humans. The disease was first discovered in Utah in 1991 in a hatchery owned by the family of Gov. Mike Leavitt on Spring Creek in Wayne County. Strawberry Reservoir, Utah's premier trout fishery about 30 miles southeast of Midway, has not been affected. Joe Valentine, who heads the DWR fish hatchery system, was surprised at how quickly the disease has spread through the Provo River system. When it was first found near Woodland above Jordanelle Reservoir last August, he thought it would take 10 years to spread to the hatchery, not 10 months. The loss of the fish has far-reaching consequences for businesses selling fishing gear in addition to the financial health of the DWR, which relies heavily on revenue produced by the sale of 500 000 fishing licenses each year. Byron Gunderson of Holladay's Fish Tech Outfitters said now would be a good time to reduce trout limits statewide and heavily promote catch-and-release angling. ANIMAL TESTS MAN ACCUSED OF BLACKMAIL April 22, 2000 The Electronic Telegraph Michael Fleet and Andrew Hibberd http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000403834005896&rtmo=LltyLSSd&atmo=99999 999&pg=/et/00/4/22/nlab22.html The organiser of threatened protests outside the homes of shareholders in an animal testing laboratory was, according to this story, freed by police yesterday after being arrested on suspicion of blackmail. This story explained that Niel Hansen, 34, was held for eight hours and questioned about 1,700 counts of alleged blackmail. That is the number of people he has written to about their holdings in Huntingdon Life Sciences, warning that unless they dispose of their shares they would be subjected to protests outside their homes. So far only two homes have, this story says, been picketed, starting with the home of David Braybrook, 70, at Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on April 10. But Mr Hansen was cited as saying that he and other animal rights supporters would continue the campaign despite his arrest. He described the allegations of blackmail as "laughable" and was cited as saying that his solicitor was confident they would never reach court. ANIMAL WELFARE ACT WORRIES HUNTERS, FISHERMEN April 22, 2000 The Edmonton Journal/ The Charlottetown Guardian The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation was cited as saying that a proposed amendment to the federal Cruelty to Animals Act could turn hunters, fishermen and farmers into law breakers. The definition of an animal in the amendment is, according to these stories, defined to include any animal that has the capacity to feel pain. Federation spokesman Ron Young was quoted as saying on Friday,``Hunters risk criminal prosecution for wounding an animal although wilful intent was to quickly and humanely kill it. Anglers risk prosecution for even putting a worm on a hook and farmers risk prosecution for such common practices as de-horning and hot-iron branding,'' adding that the amendment to Bill C-17 could jeopardize a way of life for many people in the country. The bill, which received first reading after it was introduced in December by Justice Minister Anne McLellan, is, these stories explained, designed to allow criminal charges for causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal. McLellan's office has said the bill is designed to increase penalties for cruelty to animals. GERMAN VOTE: ANIMAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT DEFEATED April 21, 2000 Science (Summary) Volume 288, Number 5465 Issue of 21 Apr 2000, pp. 411 - 413 Robert Koenig German scientists who experiment on laboratory animals can breathe a bit easier‹for now. On 13 April Germany's lower house of parliament narrowly defeated an effort to amend the nation's constitution to guarantee animal welfare. Such an amendment could have led to court challenges of much of the country's lab-animal research. NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF FIVE PERMITS FOR INCIDENTAL TAKE OF THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES. April 21, 2000 Federal Register (Volume 65, Number 78) [Notices] [Page 21468-21469] [DOCID:fr21ap00-78] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service SUMMARY: Between October 1, 1999, and March 31, 2000, Region 2 of the Fish and Wildlife Service issued five permits for the incidental take of threatened and endangered species, pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. Of the five permits issued, three are for the golden-cheeked warbler (GCW) and two are for the Houston toad (HT), and all are issued to Permittees in the greater Austin, Texas area. Copies of the five permits and associated decision documents are available upon request. In addition, between October 1, 1999 and March 31, 2000, one permit had a minor administrative amendment. ADDRESSES: If you would like copies of any of the above documents, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, New Mexico. http://ecos.fws.gov. ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS; NOTICE OF CHANGE OF JURISDICTION FOR COASTAL CUTTHROAT TROUT April 21, 2000 Federal Register (Volume 65, Number 78) [Rules and Regulations] [Page 21376-21377] [DOCID:fr21ap00-24] [Docket No. 000330090-0090-01] RIN 0648-XA51 AGENCIES: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce; Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Interior. ACTION: Transfer of agency jurisdiction. SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) have, in the past, jointly managed coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (ESA). This document is to alert interested parties that, effective November 22, 1999, the FWS assumed all ESA regulatory jurisdiction over coastal cutthroat. The only exception is that NMFS will retain ESA jurisdiction over the endangered Umpqua River cutthroat trout Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU) until the agencies complete a final determination on the proposed de-listing of this ESU. The change in jurisdiction results from a joint agency determination that coastal cutthroat trout spend the majority of their life cycle in fresh water habitat. DATES: The finding announced in this document was made on November 22, 1999. ADDRESSES: Questions concerning this document should be submitted to the Supervisor, Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon State Office, 2600 SE 98th Avenue, Suite 100, Portland, Oregon 97266; or to, Garth Griffin, National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Region, Protected Resources Division, 525 NE Oregon Street, Suite 500, Portland, OR 97232-2737. MARINE MAMMALS; FILE NO. 738-1454-03 April 21, 2000 Federal Register: (Volume 65, Number 78) [Notices] [Page 21401] [DOCID:fr21ap00-52] AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Issuance of permit amendment. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Permit No. 738-1454 issued to Ms. Carole Conway, Genomic Variation Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Meyer Hall, University of California, Davis, CA 95616-3322, was amended to allow import and export of blue whale samples from/to Mexico and other locations [worldwide] where the species is found. ADDRESSES: The amendment and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130 Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/ 713-2289); and Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 (562/980-4001). FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF ALASKA; LICENSE LIMITATION PROGRAM FOR THE SCALLOP FISHERY April 21, 2000 Federal Register: (Volume 65, Number 78) [Proposed Rules] [Page 21385-21393] [DOCID:fr21ap00-35] 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 000331092-0092-01; I.D. 030100F] RIN 0648-AM42 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. SUMMARY: NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 4 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Scallop Fishery off Alaska (FMP), which would create a license limitation program (scallop LLP) for the scallop fishery. If adopted, this program would limit the number of participants and reduce fishing capacity in the scallop fishery off Alaska. This action is proposed to achieve the conservation and management goals for the scallop fishery and is intended to further the objectives of the FMP. DATES: Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted on or before June 5, 2000. ADDRESSES: Comments on this proposed rule should be submitted to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668, Attn: Lori Gravel. Comments may also be sent via facsimile (fax) to 907-586-7465. Comments will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or Internet. Courier or hand delivery of comments may be made to NMFS in the Federal Building, Room 453, Juneau, AK. Copies of Amendment 4 to the Scallop FMP, and the Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (EA/RIR/IRFA) prepared for the amendment are available from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 West 4th Ave., Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501-2252; telephone 907-271-2809. AN UNKIND CUT FOR THE PAMPAS April 22-28, 2000 The Economist, BUENOS AIRES -- This story explained that Argentina¹s total cattle herd (most of which is reared for beef) has dropped to under 50m, down from 57m in 1989, according to the United States¹ Department of Agriculture (which count herds worldwide). The animals are, according to this story, worth less, too: prices at the Liniers livestock market in Buenos Aires fell by over a third last year, and have recovered only slightly this year. Most local meat packers and processors are in financial trouble or facing closures. Argentines are eating less of the beef than they used to: consumption stood at 63 kilos (138lb) per person last year, down from 82 kilos a decade ago. That is, according to this story, because the Argentine diet has become far more varied. There are, this story says, other problems. Tax evasion, lax health regulation and other shady practices are rife in the local meat market, penalising modern, law-abiding producers. According to Alejandro Elsztain of Cresud, an agricultural investment group partly owned by George Soros, an international financier, was cited as saying that poor herd management has also played a part in the industry¹s problems. This story further explained that Argentine cows tend to be skinny when they reach the butcher¹s knife; indeed, some cattle weigh as little as half those sold in the United States. Cresud has, according to this story, introduced to Argentina the American feed-lot system, fattening cattle in pens before slaughter. Many Argentines argue that grass-fed cattle, raised in the traditional way on the open prairies of the pampas, produce leaner, tastier beef with less cholesterol. But Mr Elsztain was cited as pointing out that, for all the famous quality of Argentine beef, it commands only half the price of feed-lot fattened meat in international markets. 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.plant.uoguelph.ca/riskcomm archived at: http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/riskcomm/archives/animalnet-archives.htm