AnimalNet Dec. 15/03
Canadian
consumers increasingly concerned with food safety
S.Korea
confirms highly contagious bird flu
Canada
invites comments on proposed import policies for United States feeder cattle
Any labeling
program must result in financial benefit to producers
Turkeys face
trying time in Christmas run-up
Canadian
dairy commission announcement fails to consider BSE fallout
E-mail
conference on marker assisted selection
FAO
publication on genetically modified fish
Foods
derived from GM animals, including fish
Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety – Documents
Putting a
toe in the GM pool
Influenza,
equine - South Africa
Launch of
international project on cattle genome
how to subscribe
Canadian
consumers increasingly concerned with food safety
December 15, 2003
Farmscape (Episode 1405)
Canada's largest market research and public affairs company says surveys
conducted over the past two years show Canadian consumers have become much more
concerned with food safety issues. Surveys conducted by Ipsos-Reid during 2002
and 2003 show, when it comes to food, Canadian consumers are thinking about
everything from nutrition and their own state of health to obesity to the safety
of the food supply. Ipsos-Reid Agrifood Division Vice President Susan Jones says
food safety has become a big concern among Canadians and is more on the mind of
consumers than it was in the past.
Clip-Susan Jones-Ipsos-Reid
We have two thirds of Canadians telling us that they are concerned about the
safety of the food they eat but, at the same time, Canadians feel pretty
confident about food safety. 80 percent of us tell us that they're completely or
somewhat confident that their food is safe. We have kind of two almost
conflicting things. It is a big topic, it's an issue of concern but so far
Canadians are pretty confident that the regulatory system that we have here in
Canada is helping to protect their health. Eight in 10 tell us that the food
industry is well regulated for the protection of human health. For those
Canadian that are not so comfortable that their food is safe, when we ask them
what they want, primarily what they talk about is more information. Consumers
today are quite educated. They can get information from a variety of sources and
they want to know what's going on and they want information on the labels and
they just want more access to information.
Jones expects food safety to remain in the spot light in the future. She says
consumers are highly educated and are well aware of such problems as pathogens
entering the water supply and animal disease issues such as mad cow disease. She
says Canadian consumers are going to continue to be concerned about food safety
and they're going to want the assurances that their food is safe. For
Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.
-Susan Jones was in Edmonton last week to address the annual general meeting of
Alberta Pork
*Farmscape is a presentation of Sask Pork and Manitoba Pork Council
S.Korea
confirms highly contagious bird flu
December 15, 2003
Reuters
SEOUL - South Korea was cited as saying Monday it had confirmed a case of a
highly contagious type of bird flu, which can be deadly to humans, at a chicken
farm near Seoul, with an Agriculture Ministry official telling Reuters that,
"We have confirmed highly contagious avian influenza, known as H5N1, in
chickens."
The story says that since early December about 21,000 chickens have died at the
farm, which is about 80 km (50 miles) southeast of Seoul. As a precaution, the
official said, authorities had now destroyed all the remaining 5,000 chickens
there.
South Korea's poultry industry has 100 million chickens mainly for local
consumption with little in the way of exports, official data showed.
Since 1996, South Korea has only reported cases of low pathogenic avian
influenza.
Canada
invites comments on proposed import policies for United States feeder cattle
December 15, 2003
From a press release
OTTAWA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) today released a discussion
paper on the importation of U.S. feeder cattle. The Agency is reviewing existing
import requirements for these animals and is seeking comments on possible policy
changes as part of this process.
Current import requirements are intended to prevent the establishment of two
animal diseases in Canada-bluetongue and anaplasmosis. Import requirements are
regularly reviewed to ensure that restrictions are appropriate and reflect
current science and risk assessments, as are all of Canada's disease control
measures.
Consistent with the Government's commitment to an open and inclusive process,
the CFIA is inviting interested parties to submit scientifically supported
comments. All stakeholders are encouraged to participate in this consultative
process, as changes to current policy may be of interest to several livestock
and wildlife sectors.
The discussion paper, related risk assessments, economic analyses, animal
disease information and comment submission instructions are available through
the CFIA's Website, www.inspection.gc.ca.
Any
labeling program must result in financial benefit to producers
December 12, 2003
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
http://www.beef.org/dsp/dsp_content.cfm?locationId=45&contentTypeId=2&contentId=2388
Profits must end up in the pockets of cattle producers in order for the National
Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) to get behind a specific country of origin
labeling program, an NCBA representative told participants of the R-Calf Summit
on Thursday, Dec. 11.
Jay Truitt, NCBA executive director for legislative affairs, told the group that
NCBA first raised arguments for country of origin labeling in 1996, and
continues to support the effort of U.S. cattle producers to establish a means
for promoting their own born, raised and processed in the U.S. product. Truitt
presented to the group the NCBA Country of Origin Labeling Task Force’s
recommendation for a voluntary program that would consist of a U.S. label
providing value to the consumer and meeting the expectations of producers. These
producers want value from the program through differentiating their product with
the USA label.
The NCBA Task Force, which represents all industry segments, met Dec. 9-10 in
Denver, and a plan will be presented to cattlemen at the Cattle Industry Annual
Convention in Phoenix, Jan. 28-31.
Truitt told Summit participants that finding ways around the current law does
not meet requirements of producers who want a workable country of origin
labeling plan. “You don’t make mistakes in a law then try to fix them
later,” he said.
According to Truitt, it’s also disconcerting that R-Calf is aligning itself on
this issue with environmental and special interest groups that do not have the
best interests of the cattle industry at heart. These include Public Citizen,
the Consumer Federation of America, the Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra
Club National Agriculture Committee.
Truitt also warned the group of extensive record keeping that the mandatory
country of origin law would create. “The Sierra Club Ag Committee should be
against the law, because it would require the killing of a lot of trees to
implement it,” Truitt says.
Instead, Truitt outlined a proposal recommended by the NCBA Country of Origin
Labeling Task Force. That plan would include pilot programs to be conducted
under existing approved USDA programs. The next steps, to take place in January,
would be to identify existing programs that could be used as models, and then
hold a meeting with other industry segments to review the task force
recommendations and seek input and participation.
NCBA will ultimately use its pilot programs to determine how the industry will
implement country of origin labeling for all segments of the beef marketing
chain. The efforts of the task force are being taken to meet expectations of
producers and fulfill the directives approved by the NCBA Board of Directors.
Turkeys
face trying time in Christmas run-up
December 15, 2003
Agence France Presse English
LONDON - Caroline Le Sueur, a Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (RSPCA) senior scientific officer, was cited as saying that
industrialised poultry production and consumer demand means turkeys in Britain
are bred and raised deliberately to be bigger in size than nature ever intended
them to be, adding, "To maintain these sizes, hens must be artificially
inseminated, a process which is highly likely to be stressful for the birds and
can lead to injury. If nature were left to its own course, then these larger
birds would die out and more naturally proportioned turkeys would survive."
Le Sueur was further cited as saying in a press statement issued by the RSPCA.
That turkeys also risk developing a painful skin condition caused by dirty
floors, and get just 30 minutes of darkness for daily rest.
There are no legal criteria in Britain for food, water, lighting or handling of
turkeys, but Le Sueur suggested that consumers opt instead for free range
turkeys which are slower growing.
Canadian
dairy commission announcement fails to consider BSE fallout
December 15, 2003
From a press release
OTTAWA - Today, the Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) announced a price increase
to producers of two cents per litre of milk ($2.20/hectolitre). This increase is
an additional step taken by the CDC to move towards fulfilling its commitment to
close the price gap to ensure that 50% of dairy producers can cover their cost
of production by the year 2006. However, it ignores the incremental cost burden
that producers must currently bear.
The Canadian Dairy Commission has missed a great opportunity to help ease
producer strain caused the mad cow (BSE) crisis. The impact of BSE on the
producer cost of producing milk is about $2.80 per hectolitre. The
compensation program announced by the federal government in November amounts
to about $0.66 per hectolitre, which is insufficient to relieve producers'
reduced margins resulting from the BSE crisis.
"The Canadian Dairy Commission missed a chance to help producers when the
BSE crisis caused a drop in sale of animals and struck a serious blow to
producers' bottom lines," said Jean Grégoire, President of Dairy Farmers
of Canada. "Producers are facing increased costs beyond their control and
the CDC is offering them exactly the same percentage increase they are offering
processors. Producers deserve greater consideration, especially when the retail
market shows strength."
Despite the CDC's attempts to close the gap so that 50% of producers can cover
their cost of production, the gap is not closing very fast. With the added
impact of BSE, the producers' cost of doing business is increasing. Meanwhile,
since 1990, the retail price for dairy products has increased at less than the
rate of inflation and much less than the increase in consumers' disposable
income.
"Only when the gap closes will average producers in Canada be able to cover
their full cost of production. Only then will the CDC be in a position to claim
that it is fulfilling its commitment," concluded Mr. Grégoire.
E-mail
conference on marker assisted selection
December 14, 2003
FAO – Biotech News
http://www.fao.org/biotech/index.asp
The FAO e-mail conference entitled "Molecular marker assisted selection as
a potential tool for genetic improvement of crops, forest trees, livestock and
fish in developing countries" began on 17 November and finished on 14
December 2003. Roughly 630 people registered for this moderated conference, and
a total of 85 messages were posted, providing excellent considerations on issues
such as economic comparisons of marker assisted selection (MAS) and conventional
breeding, the appropriateness of applying MAS in developing countries, the role
of research collaborations between developing and developing countries and the
factors that can enable successful use of MAS in developing countries. Messages
came from participants in 26 different countries, with highest numbers coming
from people in India, Australia, United States, United Kingdom and Peru. 59% of
messages came from people living in developing countries. The messages are
available at http://www.fao.org/biotech/logs/c10logs.htm or can be requested as
a single e-mail (size 128 KB) from biotech-admin@fao.org.
FAO
publication on genetically modified fish
December 14, 2003
FAO – Biotech News
http://www.fao.org/biotech/index.asp
As part of its FAO Fisheries Circular series, FAO has just published
"Genetically modified organisms and aquaculture" by J.A. Beardmore and
J.S. Porte. This 35-page document reviews the nature of GMOs, the range of
aquatic species in which GMOs have been produced, the methods and target genes
employed, the benefits to aquaculture, the problems attached to use of GMOs and
the regulatory and other social frameworks surrounding them, and concludes with
a set of recommendations aimed at best practice. See ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/006/y4955e/Y4955E00.pdf
or contact devin.bartley@fao.org for more information.
Foods
derived from GM animals, including fish
December 14, 2003
FAO – Biotech News
http://www.fao.org/biotech/index.asp
The six working papers from a joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on the
"Safety assessment of foods derived from genetically modified animals,
including fish", held on 17-21 November 2003 in Rome, Italy, have just been
published on the web. They are "Generation and use of genetically modified
farm animals" by L.M. Houdebine; "Status of genetically modified
(transgenic) fish: Research and application" by R.A. Dunham; "Hazards
associated with transgenesis methods" by E.M. Hallerman; "The food
safety risk assessment of GM animals" by E.J. Kok and W. Jones;
"Environmental impacts of genetically modified animals" by T.J. Benfey
and, finally,
"Ethical issues surrounding the GM-animals/GM-fish production" by M.
Kaiser. See http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/risk_biotech_animal_en.stm or contact
food-quality@fao.org for more information.
Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety – Documents
December 14, 2003
FAO – Biotech News
http://www.fao.org/biotech/index.asp
A series of documents have been released on the web in preparation for the 1st
meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of Parties to
the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP/MOP-1) that takes place on 23-27
February 2004 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The meeting will deal with the
following issues, among others: information sharing including the Biosafety
Clearing-House; capacity-building; liability and redress; compliance; and
handling, transport, packaging and identification of living modified organisms.
Most of the 22 official documents and 4 information documents are available in
Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. See http://www.biodiv.org/meetings/mop-01/docs.aspx
or contact secretariat@biodiv.org for more information.
Putting
a toe in the GM pool
December 15, 2003
NZ Herald
Liam Dann
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?reportID=53009&storyID=3539351
Bob Major, director of marketing and innovation at New Zealand dairy Fonterra,
was cited as saying the company has no intention at this stage of marketing
genetically modified products, but the company cannot ignore the potential of
genetic modification,, adding "It's our responsibility to ensure we're up
with the play with those technologies and at least know what we can do.
Certainly all our competitors are doing it."
The story says that gene research accounts for just 1 per cent of the budget at
Fonterra's innovation centre in Palmerston North.
The company spends much more on its organic operations, Major says.
Most of that gene research does not involve any genetic modification.
Fonterra has just one project involving transgenic experiments and there are no
plans for field trials.
That work involves taking DNA from fruit and putting it into bacteria.
The story goes on to say that much of Fonterra's gene research is based around
the hunt for medically beneficial proteins.
Subsidiary firm Vialactia - which has been targeted by the protest group Mothers
Against Genetic Engineering - is not modifying genes.
Major says it trawls through databases of cows to find traits such as fat and
protein content, then identify related genes and investigate the milk from that
group.
Once cows with the right genes are identified, researchers can breed positive
traits into the herd without any genetic modification.
Identifying genes associated with beneficial proteins offers huge financial
rewards, Major says.
Lactoferrin boosts the immune system and acepeptides may be beneficial in heart
disease.
Influenza,
equine - South Africa
December 14, 2003
ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
Source: Business Day (Johannesburg),12 Dec 2003 [edited]
http://www.bday.co.za/bday/content/direct/1,3523,1504493-6078-0,00.html
South Africa needs to get the message across to foreign racing countries that it
has the necessary veterinary expertise to contain this week's sudden outbreak of
equine flu. This is the view of leading bloodstock consultant Robin Bruss, who
said yesterday: "Modern veterinary treatments have improved significantly
since the last outbreak (in SA) back in 1987. "I have the utmost faith in
our veterinarians containing the outbreak," he said.
"However, the worry is that stories that the flu is out of control which it
doesn't seem to be, will reach countries like Dubai (and) will prevent the
delivery of horses from SA," said Bruss. "Dubai, with their big
festival scheduled for the end of March 2004, will want to know there is
absolutely no risk of the flu being imported there.
"Fortunately, we have a good record of reporting and recording any disease,
and it needs to be remembered that equine flu is something that happens in all
countries all the time. The biggest threat to exports and the raiding here of
overseas runners like Godolphin is an overreaction. We need to get the message
across that steps are being taken to contain it," said Bruss.
While Gold Circle announced yesterday that tomorrow and next Saturday's
Kenilworth meetings had been abandoned (but not the meeting scheduled for next
Wednesday), the word from the Cape was that some stables were free of the flu as
they had vaccinated their horses, despite this not being compulsory.
Some horses have not been vaccinated for 3 years because the country's
veterinary department felt it was not necessary. In retrospect, this appears an
unwise decision.
Racing will definitely take place at Turffontein tomorrow
[The signs of equine influenza are similar to those of a range of other viral
respiratory diseases. Viruses that are responsible for coughs and colds
including Equine Herpesvirus, Equine Rhinovirus, and Equine Adenovirus. Most of
these viruses produce rather mild signs, include a cough and nasal discharge.
Equine influenza produces more severe symptoms, with horses developing a fever
and a dry hacking cough. Horses become ill and are reluctant to eat or drink for
several days but usually recover in 2 to 3 weeks.
The virus can be spread easily between horses through droplet, from nasal
discharge, and from things like infected brushes. The disease is very
contagious, with almost 100 percent infection rate in a population not
previously exposed to the virus.
Because it is a virus, there are no drugs that influence the outcome of the
disease. Many horses develop secondary infections with bacteria which can lead
to pneumonia and other problems. Treatment consists of good nursing care and
antibiotics, if necessary, to treat the secondary bacterial illness associated
with the disease.
Prevention is still the key to dealing with this disease. Reasonably effective
vaccines are available against the most important types of this virus, but
horses need to be vaccinated 2-3 times per year to ensure their immune status.
!= Mod.TG]
Launch
of international project on cattle genome
December 12, 2003
Australia CSIRO Press Release
Reference #2003/226
http://www.csiro.au/index.asp?type=mediaRelease&id=prcattlegenome
A US$53-million international project to sequence the cattle genome, involving
CSIRO, was launched today (1pm, Friday, 12 December US, 5am Saturday, 13
December AEST) in Washington, United States.
The joint sequencing effort is led by the US National Human Genome Research
Institute (NHGRI), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and
also involves United States Department of Agriculture; the State of Texas;
Genome Canada; and Agritech Investments Ltd, Dairy Insight Inc. and AgResearch
Ltd, all of New Zealand.
"We are extremely proud to be participating in this research project,"
says US Agriculture Secretary, Ann Veneman. "The results of the sequencing
promise to benefit human health by contributing to its knowledge, as well as
having an impact on the dairy and beef industries by advancing the health and
disease management of beef and dairy cattle, and improving the nutritional value
of beef and dairy products."
CSIRO Livestock Industries' Chief Shaun Coffey announced in July that CSIRO is
contributing AU$1.5 million to the Bovine Genome Sequencing Project.
"CSIRO's involvement places the Australian livestock industry at the
forefront of international research and provides strong prospects for market
advantage," he says.
"Currently the gross value of livestock-derived products in Australia is
approximately Aus$15 billion per annum and the greater part of this comes from
cattle and sheep products. It is a figure anticipated to increase significantly
in the future as a result of sequencing of the bovine genome," he says.
Expected benefits include the ability to: identify genes that control growth
efficiency, muscle development and milk composition; and, to breed disease
resistant cattle and sheep.
According to the leader of the Australia-based research team, CSIRO's Ross
Tellam, information gained about the sequence will be made freely available to
all interested researchers.
"The 'intellectual property' rights will be derived from how we use the
sequence, not the sequence itself," Dr Tellam says.
"Australia is in a good position to capitalise on the information that will
be generated from sequencing the bovine genome as we have the necessary
infrastructure and expertise to maximise the gains from this sequencing,"
he says.
Scheduled for completion by the end of 2005, the project is expected to drive
the creation of innovative products and solutions to current production problems
within the livestock industry.
The bovine genome is similar in size to the genomes of humans and other mammals,
with an estimated size of three billion base pairs. Besides its potential for
improving dairy and meat products and enhancing food safety, adding the genomic
sequence of the cow (Bos taurus) to the growing list of sequenced animal genomes
will help researchers learn more about the human genome.
NHGRI is one of the 27 institutes and centres at NIH, an agency of the
Department of Health and Human Services. Additional information about NHGRI can
be found at www.genome.gov [external link - new window]
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