ANIMALNET JULY 7, 2000 Biologists at loss to explain Lake Erie Carp deaths Mass Fish deaths probed Pig barn owner scrambles to contain big manure spill ŒBioethics in the new millenniumı conference Environmentalists worry about oil spill CFIA livestock and poultry carcass grading Regulations amended Farm-Scape for July 7, 2000 (Episode 467) Whale carcass towed back out to Atlantic Corpse deemed too odoriferous to remain on metro coastline Twenty hurt in first day of Pamplona Bull Run 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 Egg Producers, Ontario Farm Animal Council, U.S. National Cattlemens Beef Association, the Rutgers Food Risk Analysis Initiative, Ag-West Biotech, Land O' Lakes Feed, 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/safefood/archives/animalnet-archives.htm BIOLOGISTS AT LOSS TO EXPLAIN LAKE ERIE CARP DEATHS July 7, 2000 The Associated Press TOLEDO, Ohio -- Biologists are, according to this story, puzzled about why hundreds of dead carp have been turning up throughout western Lake Erie. Roger Knight, supervisor of the stateıs Lake Erie Fisheries Research Station at Sandusky, was quoted as saying, ³Itıs peculiar, and itıs showing up in a lot of places. Itıs been a phenomenon this whole spring and summer.² Knight was cited as telling the Blade newspaper Ontario biologists also are reporting similar carp-kills this season on the Canadian side of the lake. He was cited as saying that about 10 days ago, a big kill was recorded at Pipe Creek State Wildlife Area, just east of Cedar Point at Sandusky, and another was reported in a marsh area on Marblehead. This story explained that about two weeks ago, scores of dead carp were found in the lower Maumee River around docks in downtown Toledo. Knight was quoted as saying, ³It just seems to be carp. So itıs not like a single pollution event,² adding that if carp were being killed by pollutants, other fish also would be dying in large numbers, adding, ³That leaves us with a more natural event (cause).² Lake levels have, this story explained, not been this low since the 1960s, and May and much of the spring was the windiest in 13 years. Knight was cited as speculating that carp may have moved into shallows during wind surges and were left stranded behind sandbars in the shallows. Knight was quoted as stressing, ³Those are just guesses. But weıre fairly certain itıs not a pollution thing,² adding that the kills also are not related to commercial fishing. Julie Yeager, a boater from Toledo, was cited as saying that she and other boaters and anglers found hundreds of dead carp last weekend at Lakeside and East Harbor on Marblehead peninsula, and also at North Bolles Harbor on the Michigan side of Lake Erie. She was quoted as saying, ³Theyıre all along the shoreline, and it stinks terribly.² MASS FISH DEATHS PROBED July 7, 2000 The Toronto Star Roberta Avery http://www.thestar.com/thestar/editorial/news/20000707NEW02b_DEADFISH.html NEW LOWELL, Ont. -- In this related story: Officials are baffled about why, four days after beaches at the New Lowell Conservation Area were closed due to E. coli contamination, hundreds of dead fish started washing up on shore. Byron Wesson, director of conservation services for the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority which owns the reservoir and surrounding 116-hectare park, was quoted as saying yesterday, as volunteers wearing rubber gloves unloaded boatloads of putrefying fish pulled from the 16-hectare reservoir about 20 lilometres west of Barrie, ``Iıve never seen anything like this before, never.ıı This story explained that on Friday, after a heavy rainfall, the authority closed the reservoir to swimmers when routine water sampling detected E. coli contamination. The reservoir is, this story explained, a popular swimming and fishing spot, but is not a drinking water source. On Tuesday campers reported dead fishwashing up on shore and Wesson sent a team to investigate. Wesson was quoted as saying, ``Dead fish in clumps of 50 or 100, it was startling.ıı The majority of the dead fish are carp - bottom feeders - so Wesson was cited as suspecting that excessive runoff from area farms may have washed fertilizer or other contaminants into the reservoir. He was cited as saying that other possible sources for the problem include a chemical spill in the creek upstream or a parasitic infection. This story explained that Murray Lemcke, a provincial officer with the Barrie office of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, took water samples from the reservoir and from the creek upstream on Tuesday and sent them to the ministryıs lab in Rexdale. Lemcke was cited as saying that a fish kill of this size is unusual, but it could be two to three weeks before tests are completed. It is also baffling that carp, a usually resilient fish, is the species most affected, Lemcke was cited as saying. Park superintendent Jane Ivits was cited as saying that she is concerned about the health of the wildlife including swans, turtles, gulls and raccoons, which are feeding on the dead fish, adding, ``We donıt know if they are all going to start dying too.ıı PIG BARN OWNER SCRAMBLES TO CONTAIN BIG MANURE SPILL AREA BEACHES CLOSED, WELLS TESTED FOR E. COLI July 7, 2000 CP Wire CHATHAM -- This story explained that environment officials, investigators and the owner of a pig barn scrambled yesterday to contain a major manure spill into Lake Erie. The spill, which occurred Wednesday afternoon, this story says, closed beaches near this southwestern Ontario community and prompted lakeside residents to test wells for E. coli contamination. Public health officials were, this story says, expecting to get test results today. This story further explained that workers at Mike DeBrouwerıs 2,200-head pig barn capped an outflow pipe that had gushed liquid manure into a drain about a kilometre away from Lake Erie. Dave Depuydt, an ecologist with the Chatham-Kent Environmental Task Force for Strategic Planning, was cited as estimating that at its peak on Wednesday night, the spill was flowing about 1,500 gallons per hour of thick, black, foul-smelling liquid down into the open drain and into a natural watercourse that cuts through a ravine and flows down to Lake Erie. Late yesterday, this story says, a thin stream continued to flow slowly into the lake. Bob Massecar, spokesperson for the provincial environment ministry, was quoted as saying, ``Weıre going to keep a close eye on the situation,ıı adding, pumper trucks were to be brought on to the site to remove the manure from the drain, and that an investigator from the ministry will decide whether charges will be laid under the Environmental Protection Act. This story explained that DeBrouwer continued cleaning up the spill in the immediate area of his farm, mystified at the cause. Earlier investigation were cited as showing that the lagoon that stores the manure wasnıt at full capacity and wasnıt leaking. DeBrouwer was quoted as saying, ``Weıre suspicious of the hog barn. Weıve trenched around it to see if we can find the source.ıı Liquid manure is stored beneath the barn and from there flows to the lagoon. DeBrouwer is, this story explained, a partner of the Great Lakes Pig Co. which was fined $10,000 in May, 1999 after pleading guilty to a 1997 spill on its other property. ŒBIOETHICS IN THE NEW MILLENNIUMı CONFERENCE TO FEATURE FRANCIS COLLINS, FRANCIS CARDINAL GEORGE JULY 20-22 IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS July 7, 2000 from a press release CHICAGO -- The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignityıs summer conference, ³Bioethics in the New Millennium,² will explore the ethical issues surrounding many new biotechnologies including genetics, transgenics, xenotransplantation, cybernetics, nanotechnology, and artificial life and intelligence. The conference will feature scientists, researchers, physicians, nurses, lawyers, educators, clergy, and bioethicists who will present on a wide range of bioethical issues facing people in the new millennium. Plenary speakers include Francis Collins, Head of the Human Genome Project; Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago; E. David Cook, Oxford University; Diann Uustal, Educational Resources in Health Care; Christopher Hook, Mayo Clinic; Richard Swensen, Future Health Study Center; Nancy Jones, Wake Forest University School of Medicine; and Mitchell Wilkes, Center for Intelligent Systems, Vanderbilt University. The media are invited to attend any or all sessions at no charge (meals included). Two special media coffees will enable any attending media person to have direct access to the four conference speakers who will be discussing specific biotechnologies: Francis Collins on genetics, Mitchell Wilkes on artificial life and intelligence, E. David Cook on xenotransplantation, and Christopher Hook on cybernetics and nanotechnology, plus several panelists. (The coffees are listed in the schedule below.) Conference Schedule Thursday, July 20, 2000 5:00-6:30pm Registration/Reception 6:30-7:00 Welcome/Orientation 7:00-8:00 The Challenges and Opportunities Ahead Richard Swenson, M.D. Future Health Study Center 8:15-9:30 Facing the Future Johnny Hunter - L.E.A.R.N., Inc. (Life Education and Resource Network) Friday, July 21, 2000 8:00-9:00am Money and Health Care Scott Rae, Ph.D. Biola University 9:30-10:30Christian Vision for Moral Decisions in Bioethics Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Ph.D. Archbishop of Chicago 10:45-11:30 Professional Break-out Sessions 1:00-2:30pm Papers and Workshops 2:45-4:30 Multi-Culturalism and Cross-Culturalism John Patrick, M.D. University of Ottawa, Canada Spirituality and Alternative Medicine Donal OıMathuna, Ph.D. Mt. Carmel School of Nursing Discussant: Robert Orr. M.D. Loma Linda University 4:45-5:45 Will the Care be Squeezed out of Heath Care? Olson Chapel Diann Uustal, R.N., Ed.D. Education Resources in HealthCare, Inc. 7:30-9:30 The Genetic Revolution Olson Chapel Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D. - The Human Genome Project Discussants: Nigel Cameron, Ph.D. Strategic Futures Group, LLC Clarke Forsythe, J.D. Americans United for Life Nancy Jones, Ph.D. Wake Forest University School of Medicine 10:00-10:45 Media Coffee With Francis Collins, et.al. Saturday, July 22, 2000 8:00-9:00am Artificial Life and Intelligence Mitchell Wilkes, Ph.D. Vanderbilt University 9:30-11:15Cybernetics & Nanotechnology Christopher Hook, M.D. Mayo Clinic Xenotransplantation E. David Cook, Ph.D. Oxford University, England Discussant: Jim Leffel, M.A. Crossroads Project/Xenos Fellowship 11:30-12:15pm Media Coffee With Mitchell Wilkes, Christopher Hook, and E. David Cook 11:30-12:15 Professional Break-out Sessions 1:45-3:15 Papers and Workshops 3:30-5:30 Ethical Challenges Ahead Ben Mitchell, Ph.D. Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Media & Public Policy Challenges Ahead Helen Alvare, J.D. National Conference of Catholic Bishops Discussant: John Kilner, Ph.D. The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity SOURCE The Center For Bio-Ethics And Human Dignity ENVIRONMENTALISTS WORRY ABOUT OIL SPILL July 7, 2000 USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/news/digest/nd1.htm MIDDLETOWN, R.I. -- Environmentalists was cited as saying that Thursday they are worried about the effects of a large oil spill that has killed several birds and led to a ban on fishing in one of the most fertile areas of Narragansett Bay. The Coast Guard was cited as saying that 14,000 gallons of oil has spilled out of a barge that collided with a tug boat on Wednesday. The 460-foot-long barge was carrying 3.8 million gallons of oil. Coast Guard officials thought the oil would remain near the barge, but there have, this story explained, been reports of oil sheens and tar balls four miles south of the spill. A state Department of Environmental Management administrator was cited as saying that the bay will remain closed for at least a week, which means losses of $100,000 a day for lobstermen. CFIA LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY CARCASS GRADING REGULATIONS AMENDED July 6, 2000 from a press release OTTAWA -- The Livestock and Poultry Carcass Grading Regulations have been amended to allow the grading of imported beef carcasses according to Canadian standards in Canadian establishments. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) worked closely with stakeholders to develop this regulatory amendment requested by the Canadian Meat Council (CMC) and the Canadian Cattlemenıs Association (CCA). It was reviewed by the Industry/Government Committee on Beef Grading which, in addition to CCA and CMC, includes representation from the Canadian Beef Grading Agency, Canada Beef Export Federation, Quebec Beef Producers Federation and the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors. Pursuant to the Canada Agricultural Products Act, the Livestock and Poultry Carcass Grading Regulations specify the national grade standards for livestock and poultry carcasses graded in Canada. The grading program and the Regulations facilitate trade and marketing by establishing a basis for product quality and pricing. This amendment will now allow the application of Canadian grade names to imported beef carcasses. Beef carcass grading in Canada is voluntary but the application of Canadian grade names to beef carcasses prior to this amendment had been restricted to cattle slaughtered in Canada. Although imported live cattle slaughtered in Canada may be graded according to the Canadian standards, imported beef carcasses have not been eligible for Canadian grading. This amendment will make Canadian grade names available to domestic and imported products alike and harmonizes Canadian and U.S. treatment of imported cattle and carcasses. FARM-SCAPE FOR JULY 7, 2000 (EPISODE 467) July 7, 2000 Farm-Scape Despite their higher costs, a Manitoba based swine production company expects to see more plastic earthen storage lagoon covers erected within the province. Iım Bruce Cochrane and this is Farm-Scape...a presentation of Manitobaıs pork producers. Iıll be back...in a moment. Commercial Break The plastic cover was developed by DGH Engineering through the Manitoba Livestock Manure Management Initiative specifically to eliminate the odors generated by manure storageıs and itıs now being distributed commercially. Elite Swine Environment and Education Manager Gary Plohman says there are now four of these covers being used including two at sites his company operates...one in Alberta and one in Southwestern Manitoba. Clip-Gary Plohman-Elite Swine The system is a reinforced plastic, as I mentioned. It is held in place with four exhaust fans which are expelling air from underneath the cover itself. It is also fastened all the way around with a fastener material to an anchor trench which holds the cover in position even in the strongest winds. We believe that it will totally eliminate odors coming off of the earthen manure storage. We know that is the case in our Alberta example. We expect that there will be more of these put in. The cost of these is somewhere in the neighborhood of 45 thousand dollars so it is reasonably expensive compared to putting straw on which probably costs in the neighborhood of 15 hundred to two thousand dollars. This is a permanent cover expected to last in the neighborhood of five to seven years and, because it can withstand snow and ice, it does not have to be removed during the winter. Plohman says Elite is looking forward to evaluating the effect of the cover, newly installed at itıs Pro-Gilt Site-2 in Southwestern Manitoba. WHALE CARCASS TOWED BACK OUT TO ATLANTIC CORPSE DEEMED TOO ODORIFEROUS TO REMAIN ON METRO COASTLINE July 7, 2000 The Halifax Herald Susan LeBlanc, Staff Reporter http://www.herald.ns.ca/cgi-bin/home/displaystory?2000/07/07+137.raw+Metro The rotting, two tonne, 10-metre minke whale had been resting on the rocky beach at Hartlen Point, outside Dartmouth, for about two weeks, so the navy, federal fisheries officers and the Queenıs harbourmaster teamed up Thursday to haul the minke to sea. Military spokesman Mike Bonin, was quoted as saying, ³The reason why DND (Department of National Defence) is so concerned is, this is our property. So to get rid of any health risks to any people that are walking along the beach, itıs prudent that we get rid of it.² This story explained that with the provincial menıs golf championship taking place around the bend at theHartlen Point Forces Golf Club, the workers toiled for 90 minutes to get the whale hitched up and towed away by the tug Glen Brook. TWENTY HURT IN FIRST DAY OF PAMPLONA BULL RUN July 6, 2000 Reuters PAMPLONA, Spain -- This story explained that twenty people were hurt on Friday as hundreds of bullfighting fans risked life and limb at Pamplonaıs running of the bulls festival. The spectacle made famous, according to this story, by Ernest Hemingwayıs novel ³The Sun Also Rises,² in which runners try to dodge bulls stampeding through narrow cobblestone streets, draws hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. Up to half a million visitors, including experienced local runners and tourists packed the cityıs streets for the first run of the eight-day orgy of wine and bravado, called the San Fermin festival in honor of Pamplonaıs patron saint. This story explained that the fastest bulls completed Fridayıs run in two minutes and 20 seconds. In recent years international animal rights activists have, this story says, also turned out to denounce the event as cruel. A group called People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has been cited as mounting a campaign to try to persuade foreigners to boycott the festival. This story explained that the running of the bulls dates back to 1591, when its purpose was purely practical‹to move the bulls to the arena. 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/safefood archived at: http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/safefood/archives/animalnet-archives.htm