AnimalNet Dec. 12/03
S. Korea
testing for suspected cases of bird flu
AAFC:
Canadian Sheep Federation receives federal funding to promotenational
identification program
Food
ministers agree to a range of policy initiatives
Biotechnology
Risk Assessment Grants (BRAG) Program
National
Pork board opens nominations for 2004 Environmental Stewards
N.B. salmon
farm operators eye expansion in booming industry
Aquaculture
a must for conservation
Great dog
bakery creates a holiday feast fit for man's best friend: Portland's Chef Daryl
Ostrovsky creates culinary gourmet dog holiday meals
how to subscribe
S.
Korea testing for suspected cases of bird flu
December 12, 2003
Reuters
SEOUL - South Korean veterinary experts are, according to this story, carrying
out tests on chickens at a farm near the capital Seoul for suspected cases of a
highly contagious type of bird flu, which can in the case of certain strains be
deadly to humans.
The agriculture ministry was cited as saying in a statement on Friday that
results of final tests would be released next week and, if confirmed, it would
be the first cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in South Korea, adding,
"The National Veterinary Research & Quarantine Service test showed
suspected cases of avian influenza in chickens. According to the quarantine
experts, it is highly possible for this case to be highly pathogenic
influenza."
The statement added that as a precautionary measure, Korean authorities had
destroyed all the remaining 5,000 chickens at the affected farm, which is about
80 km (50 miles) southeast of Seoul, the statement said. Between December 5 and
11 some 19,000 chickens had died out of a total of 24,000, it added.
AAFC:
Canadian Sheep Federation receives federal funding to promotenational
identification program
December 11, 2003
From a press release
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has granted $111,200 to help
the Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) raise awareness of the importance of
national animal identification in the fight against the spread of diseases.
The Canadian Sheep Identification Program (CSIP) is an industry-led initiative
to develop a trace back system that will address producer concerns about sheep
health and meet consumer expectations for food safety and quality. CSIP approved
ear tags are now available and as of Janaury 1, 2004, all sheep and lambs must
bear an approved tag before leaving any premises.
The funding comes from the Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development (CARD)
fund's $5.8 million allocation for 2003-04 dedicated to advance the Food Safety
and Quality element of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF).
The federal support will be used to publish details of the program in industry
journals, brochures, posters, and on the organization's website. The federation
is also planning to host nationwide information sessions for producers and
industry stakeholders later this year.
"It is imperative industry stakeholders and ultimately the Canadian
consumer have timely and relevant information related to the history of
animals," said Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief. "This
funding will help Canada's sheep industry get the word out on new programming in
the important area of traceability. Effective identification systems are key to
maintaining domestic and international confidence in Canada's safe and well
managed livestock industries."
"We are pleased to receive financial support from the federal
government," said Jennifer Vollmar, CSF Executive Director. "An
effective communication strategy cannot be implemented without adequate
resources. This funding will help ensure the success of our program."
"The implementation of our program is timely and its success is
crucial," added CSF Chair Randy Eros who explained that the recent
discovery of mad cow in one Canadian cow has heightened everyone's awareness of
the need for effective livestock identification. Eros emphasized the ongoing
costs of the program will ultimately be paid for by producers when they purchase
the required tags.
The CSF is a national, non-profit organization representing all Canadian sheep
producers. Its mission is to work with all levels of government and industry
related organizations to further the viability, expansion and prosperity of the
Canadian sheep and wool industry.
For more information about the Canadian Sheep Identification Program
please contact the CSF at (613) 248-8084 or 1-888-684-7739 or visit them
at www.cansheep.ca For more information related to CARD, please visit the
Web site at www.card-fcadr.ca
CANADIAN SHEEP IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM
Media Backgrounder
The need for the sheep industry to develop an effective trace back system was
first recognized in 1995 by the Livestock Identification Working Group (LIDWG).
This group was created by the Canadian Animal Health Consultative Committee (CAHCC)
of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to represent the interests of the
livestock industry. The working group saw the need to address the potential
threat of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in cattle and scrapie in sheep.
In 1996, the concept to set up a national identification program was proposed to
the Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF). The board decided to allow the cattle
industry to design its own program and to establish it as a model for other
livestock sectors. Two years later, the board endorsed a national identification
system for the sheep industry and a technical committee was established to
develop the program.
In 2000, the CSF received financial help from the federal government to initiate
discussion with producers. During the summer and fall, extensive consultations
were also held with industry stakeholders across the country. The response
indicated that the sheep industry supported the development of a national
identification program that would reflect its needs. The board of directors
voted to create and implement an identification system that was
"affordable, flexible and effective" for the sheep industry.
In 2001, the CSF requested regulatory changes to the legislation governing
mandatory identification. Amendments were drafted that incorporated the
requirements of the sheep sector. The final changes to the legislation were
reviewed and accepted by the current National Identification Committee of the
CSF in March 2003. The legislation will be enacted January 1, 2004. For more
details, please visit:
www.inspection.gc.ca/english/reg/consultation/reginite.shtml .
In Canada, the cattle industry, including bison, successfully implemented the
final phase of its program in July 2002. The pork, goat, and cervid sectors are
also preparing to implement similar programs. Last year the sheep industry
exported over 11,000 animals. The Canadian Sheep Identification Program is
necessary to maintain access to both our domestic and international markets.
Food
ministers agree to a range of policy initiatives
December 12, 2003
Australia New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council Joint Communique
The Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council met in
Auckland today.
The ANZFRMC comprises Health and Agriculture Ministers, from Australia and New
Zealand.
Today the Ministerial Council agreed to policy guidelines for four important
areas of food management. These policy guidelines will now be referred to Food
Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to commence the food standards
development process.
Food Safety Management in Australia
Ministers agreed that food safety programs, in highest risk sectors, be made
mandatory in Australia and adopted policy guidelines developed by the
Ministerial Council to improve food safety management in Australia. These
principles include overarching recommendations on which food business sectors
should develop and implement mandatory food safety programs.
Those food business sectors included in mandatory food safety programs willbe:
_ food service in which potentially hazardous food is served to vulnerable
populations (eg hospitals, nursing homes);
_ producing, harvesting, processing and distributing raw oysters and other
bivalves;
_ catering operations serving food to the general public, and _ producing
manufactured and fermented meat.
Implementation of mandatory food safety programs for these sectors will be
required within two years after the amendments to the Food Standards Code are
gazetted. This allows for a flexible approach to implementation.
New Zealand is currently reviewing both mandatory and voluntary risk-based
management plans in the context of a broad ranging Domestic Food Review.
Nutrition, Health and Related Claims
The Ministerial Council endorsed a nutrition, health and related claims policy
guideline.
The policy aims to ensure that the health and safety of the public is protected,
whilst still allowing for food industry innovation and trade. It does this by
incorporating a number of elements designed to ensure that claims made on foods
or in advertising are true, scientifically substantiated and not misleading.
As part of the discussion, Ministers specifically considered the regulationof
biomarker claims. A biomarker is one indicator of a person's risk of developing
a serious disease (eg cholesterol is a biomarker for heart disease). This is a
very complex issue.
Ministerial Council agreed to the following:
1. Biomarker claims on foods be permitted under the following conditions:
i. Maintenance claims will be subject to pre-market assessment and verification
by FSANZ. Council requests FSANZ to report back at the May 2004 meeting on
options to streamline processes for pre-market assessment and verification;
ii. Enhancement claims will be subject to pre-market assessment and approval by
FSANZ, and
iii. Reference to serious disease will be subject to pre-market assessment and
approval by FSANZ.
2. The Council requests that FSANZ initiate the development of requirements for
biomarker claims on food, as part of a new standard for nutrition, health and
related claims in the Food Standards Code, in accordance with the process
outlined in the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991, and
3. The Council requests FSANZ to report back on progress to the Ministerial
Council meeting of May 2004 on the substantiation framework to support
maintenance and enhancement claims for biomarkers, to ensure clarity for
consumers and industry.
Novel Foods
Novel foods are those foods that are non-traditional to Australia and New
Zealand, and for which there has been no safety evaluation. Regulations
concerning novelfoods have been incorporated into the Australia New Zealand Food
Standards Code since June 2001.
However, industry has a number of concerns about the existing standard.
Accordingly, Ministers have asked FSANZ to review the standard and associated
user guide and to consider issues raised by stakeholders.
The revised standard will provide greater clarity about the process FSANZ u
ndertakes in determining if a food is novel. The Ministerial Council has asked
the review of the standard has industry, government and consumer input.
Country of Origin Labelling of Food
The Ministerial Council has agreed to policy guidelines for mandatory Country of
Origin labelling of food.
Fortification of Food
The Ministerial Council discussed fortification, such as the addition of folate
and iodine to foods.
A discussion paper on fortification of food with vitamins and minerals was
released for public consultation on 1 December 2003. Comments are due by 5
February 20042E The results of the consultation process will be used to develop
a draft policy guideline, with Ministers scheduled to consider the guideline in
May 2004. Media contact: Kay McNiece, Media Adviser, ANZFRMC Secretariat 0412
132 585 OR +61 412 132 585 (NZ)
Biotechnology
Risk Assessment Grants (BRAG) Program
December 12, 2003
USDA News Releases
http://www.usda.gov/whatsnew.htm
The complete document can be downloaded from:
http://www.reeusda.gov/1700/funding/04/rfa_brag_04.htm
The purpose of the BRAG is to assist Federal regulatory agencies in making
science-based decisions about the effects of introducing into the environment
genetically modified organisms, including plants, microorganisms (including
fungi, bacteria, and viruses), arthropods, fish, birds, mammals, and other
animals excluding humans. Investigations of effects on both managed and natural
environments are relevant.
CSREES solicits applications for an estimated $3.0 million in grants for the
Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants Program (BRAG). Applications must be
received by close of business February 10, 2004 ( 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time).
National
Pork board opens nominations for 2004 Environmental Stewards
December 12, 2003
Meatingplace.com
Joshua Lipsky
http://www.meatingplace.com/DailyNews/init.asp?clickthrough=true&ID=11594
The Pork Checkoff, in conjunction with National Hog Farmer magazine is taking
nominations for 2004 Environmental Stewards. The award honors U.S. pork
producers for their innovation and conservation practices in the environment.
"The Environmental Steward awards are a great way for producers to show
that they care for the environment," said Lynn Harrison, pork producer from
Elk Mound, Wis., former winner and member of the National Pork Board. "The
Environmental Steward awards are just one of the many ways America's pork
producers demonstrate how pork production and the environment fit
together."
Each steward will receive a plaque, $1,000 and a trip to the awards ceremony,
held at the National Pork Industry Forum. Also, each steward's farm will be
featured in National Hog Farmer.
Applications and nominations for the awards are due March 31. A producer can
apply based on his or her experiences as an owner and/or manager. An extension
agent of veterinarian can also nominate a producer. To request an application,
contact the Pork Checkoff Service Center at 800/456-PORK.
N.B.
salmon farm operators eye expansion in booming industry
December 11, 2003
CP Wire
SAINT JOHN, N.B. -- Two New Brunswick salmon farm operators are, according to
this story, looking to open new farms off Charlotte County -- the latest
expansions in a booming provincial industry.
The story says that Stolt Sea Farm wants to set up an operation in Duck Cove,
near Point Lepreau, while Heritage Salmon is eyeing a site in Orange Cove.
The applications are at the preliminary stages. If approved, the sites could
have fish in the water as early as next year.
In New Brunswick's farmed salmon industry, such expansion has been common
lately, resulting in 10 new salmon farms in the past three years.
That's driven a huge increase in the amount of farmed salmon produced by
provincial operators, who have doubled the annual harvest in the past five years
from about 20,000 tonnes to 40,000 tonnes.
At the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, science adviser Inka Milewski was
cited as saying too many salmon farms are putting too great a load on the
environment, adding, ``These ecological systems are being fundamentally
transformed by these farms.”
Aquaculture
a must for conservation
December 11, 2003
The Daily News (Halifax)
H31
Chef Michael Smith writes that while some fisheries retain promise, most are
well on their way to commercial extinction. Many environmentalists and
scientists believe we have passed the point of no return, that the oceans of
just 100 years ago will remain history.
Smith says that aquaculture -- farming fish -- may be the key and that it is
clear that to meet the 40-per-cent increase in demand for fish over the next 10
years that the United Nations predicts, we will have to master fish farming.
Smith says that recently a concerned group of more than 100 Toronto-area chefs
banded together to form the Endangered Fish Alliance. Its aim is to educate the
dining public and other chefs by only serving fish from sustainable fisheries.
Their proactive grassroots stance is a response to the seeming inability of the
world's politicians to prevent a looming collapse of all commercial fisheries.
The chefs have specifically targeted swordfish, Chilean sea bass, orange roughy
and certain types of caviar. They no longer serve these wild fish in their
restaurants and hope that their stance will encourage other chefs and diners to
avoid them. They know that chefs need to lead the market, not follow it.
The aquaculture industry faces many challenges. Fish farms can be floating
disasters with the ability to decimate their environment. Their products often
taste inferior to wild versions and require pigments to mimic the colours of
nature. Farmed fish often consume huge amounts of wild fish processed into fish
meal.
Land-based, closed-loop systems capture waste and filter water, and are the best
way to raise fish. Tilapia, sturgeon and trout are often raised this way.
Open-water-based shellfish operations often leave the water cleaner due to the
filtering of mollusks. Mussels and oysters are tasty -- and good for the
environment.
Largely because of pressure from environmental interests, Canadian fish farmers
are leading the world in finding pragmatic solutions. The issues are complicated
but the bottom line is clear: we need to support our homegrown aquaculture if it
will continue to provide us with healthy, responsible seafood choices for the
future.
Great
dog bakery creates a holiday feast fit for man's best friend: Portland's Chef
Daryl Ostrovsky creates culinary gourmet dog holiday meals
December 11, 2003
From a press release
PORTLAND, Ore. -- 'Tis the season to be jolly, and this year that means for dogs
all over the Northwest too! Today, Great Dog Bakery of Portland, Oregon
announced that its Holiday gourmet offerings for dogs are now available online
at www.greatdogbakery.com . Founded in 2001 by Chef Daryl Ostrovsky, the
Portland doggie eatery has been serving happy pups a steady diet of the freshest
ingredients and gourmet creations, such as Barkin' Bagels and Chicken
"Pup" Pies. This year, Chef Daryl has prepared a Holiday feast of
turkey vegetable meatloaf, garlic roasted potatoes and a rich and creamy pumpkin
cheesecake that is sure to delight even the pickiest pooch.
"Dogs aren't just 'pets' to people; they are friends, confidants and a
beloved part of the family," said Mr. Ostrovsky. "As such they deserve
a place at the Holiday table, not just grabbing the scraps that fall off it. Our
Holiday meals have been created to suit dogs' tastes and to be nutritional. You
won't find any preservatives and food colorings; instead I've created these
delicious meals from the finest and freshest ingredients available."
Mr. Ostrovsky first began making dog treats while attending the renowned School
of Culinary Arts in Atlanta. Starting with a biscuit for his Jack Russell, Cosmo
-- his taste tester -- after a few rounds of experimentation he came up with his
all natural, gourmet peanut butter biscuit bone that was low in fat, salt and
sugar. Cosmo couldn't get enough, and the idea for Great Dog Bakery was born.
Great Dog Bakery now offers biscuits, main meal courses and even birthday cakes
for dogs of all sizes and ages. Mr. Ostrovsky has teamed with Christine Hughes,
who has had a long and successful career as a marketing executive in the
technology sector, to create an online shopping and doggie dining experience
that is easy to use (for humans, that is) -- bringing these delicious treats to
doggie doors across the country.
"Daryl has created wonderful treats that are both nutritious and tasty, and
now with our easy to navigate web site, people all over the country can order
these treats for their dogs to enjoy, " said Christine Hughes, co-founder
of www.greatdogbakery.com . "As people focus more and more on the quality
of the food their dogs consume, this market will continue to grow. Just ten
years ago Americans spent $17 Billion on pet products and that number is
expected to reach $31 Billion this year. We're looking forward to expanding our
menu to meet the growing needs of our customers."
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