AnimalNet April 12/05
Cloned meat
Groups want
antibiotics out of animals
B.C. farm
fish sold as 'wild' in N.Y., but our merchants more honest
Rapid Alert
System for Food and Feed (RASFF)
FDA
Veterinarian Newsletter
USDA has
system for I.D. tags
ID panel
reports positive producer acceptance; issues still to be addressed at markets
NIAA annual
meeting provides first-hand update on animal identification: 2009 given as goal
for mandatory ID
NIAA
symposium challenges animal agriculture’s role for the future
Vet schools
to re-shape curricula to meet 21st century challenges
North
America's largest organic grocer tackles animal welfare
how to subscribe
Cloned
meat
April 11, 2005
Associated Press/New York Times
WASHINGTON -- A study published in Tuesday's issue of Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences was cited as finding that meat and milk from cloned
animals is essentially identical to that from animals that reproduced normally,
Researcher Xiangzhong Yang of the Center for Regenerative Biology at the
University of Connecticut was cited as saying that the findings should ease
safety concerns by both the public and regulators about eating cloned animals,
adding, "All parameters examined for the clones in this study were within
the normal range of beef and dairy products approved for human
consumption."
The stories explain that researchers from Connecticut and the Kagoshima
Prefectural Cattle Breeding Institute in Japan analyzed milk for a variety of
factors including protein, fat, lactose and solids and studied more than 100
components in the beef, concluding that both were within the range of standards
for milk and meat now consumed.
The FDA declined to comment on the findings but said it will include the report
in the material it is reviewing on food from cloned animals. The agency said it
expects its own safety assessment of these products to be released soon.
Carole Tucker Foreman of the consumer group Public Citizen was cited as
questioning whether the researchers had looked at the problem of stress in the
animals and also whether the researchers, who specialize in reproductive
biology, were a truly disinterested source of information, and suggested that
the small number of animals in the study might not be enough to produce
definitive data.
Groups
want antibiotics out of animals
April 11, 2005
Lean Trimmings
Edited by Dana Downie
The American Academy of Pediatrics, Environmental Defense and the Union of
Concerned Scientists petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to ban seven
classes of antibiotics from being fed to cattle, hogs and chickens. The banned
antibiotics would be: Penicillins (natural penicillins, penase resistant
penicillins,4 antipseudomonal penicillins, and aminopenicillins),
Tetracyclines, Aminoglycosides, Streptogramins, Macrolides, Lincomycin,
Sulfonamides
The groups say the drugs should only be used to treat animals that are
actually sick, instead of use as a preventive. Many scientists and federal
regulators fear bacteria are developing resistance to some human antibiotics,
partly because of their widespread use in food animals. Several lawmakers,
including Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., also are
introducing legislation to restrict use of the animal drugs.
Unfortunately, humans use about 10 times the tonnage of antibiotics of those
used by farm animals. In one year alone, doctors wrote 12 million antibiotic
prescriptions for colds, bronchitis and other respiratory infections - 90
percent of which are caused by viruses that don't respond to antibiotics, a
Journal of the American Medical Association study reported. For more
information: www.keepantibioticsworking.com
B.C.
farm fish sold as 'wild' in N.Y., but our merchants more honest
April 12, 2005
The Vancouver Sun
A1 / Front
Maurice Bridge and Jonathan Fowlie
On Sunday, the New York Times, according to this story, published a story that
revealed six out of eight "wild salmon" purchases by a reporter were,
in fact, farmed fish, and one of the "wild" fish was listed as a
possible escaper from a farm pen.
The story notes that in Canada, although retailers do not need to state on a
sign or label whether their salmon is wild-caught or farm-raised, they are
legally obliged to answer truthfully if a consumer asks.
Greg Beilhartz, inspection manager in the Lower Mainland for the federal
Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which determines labelling standards, was cited
as saying Monday his department has had no complaints about incorrect labelling
of salmon, adding, "We've had none."
Gina Fedora, a manager at the Salmon Shop on Granville Island, was cited as
saying that most Vancouver retailers are truthful about what they sell, but she
added she wouldn't be surprised if some fishmongers have tried to deceptively
push farmed salmon as being wild, adding, "In a city as big as this, I'd
have to say that probably does happen, because, of course, you can get more
money for a wild product. … Down here at Granville Island, our customers are
pretty well-educated and pretty fussy, so we try to give them what they are
looking for."
The sentiment was the same at other fish markets in the city, with sellers
saying that while they have not directly heard of retailers lying about their
products, they have seen fish that are not labelled as clearly as they might be.
Mary-Ellen Walling, executive director of the B.C. Salmon Farmers' Association,
was cited as saying Monday B.C. farmed salmon is labelled by producers before it
is shipped to the U.S., although it is up to retailers there to relabel bulk
shipments that are broken up for sale.
Rapid
Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF)
April 12, 2005
European Commission
Week 15 available in pdf format at http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/food/rapidalert/reports/week15-2005_en.pdf
FDA
Veterinarian Newsletter
April 12, 2005
Center for Veterinary Medicine
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/5162.htm
FDA Veterinarian Newsletter , January/February 2005, Volume XX, No. I available
at http://www.fda.gov/cvm/5162.htm
USDA
has system for I.D. tags
April 11, 2005
Lean Trimmings
Edited by Dana Downie
Now that 45 states have instituted premises-ID programs, the USDA has
announced the next phase of the voluntary National Animal Identification
System: individual-animal ID. Officials plan to introduce this step in August
when livestock producers across the country will be able to request tags with
animal identification numbers from the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).
According to the NAIS coordinator for APHIS, Neil Hammerschmidt, the animal
identification tags will be available with the 840 number on them. For more
information about the National Animal Identification System or the Animal
Identification Number Tag Management System go to: www.usda.gov/nais.
ID
panel reports positive producer acceptance; issues still to be addressed at
markets
April 11, 2005
National Institute for Animal Agriculture Media Release
http://www.animalagriculture.org/headline/2005NR/NR_2005IdentificationPanel.htm
ST. PAUL, Minn.—Members of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s
Animal Identification and Information Systems Committee took time to listen to a
panel representing issues in the “real world” for animal ID implementation.
Each panelist reported that, to a large extent, producers in their states seemed
very willing to participate in the current voluntary premises programs. However,
the operators of markets raised concerns about their responsibilities in a
universal ID program.
The panelists, who work with producers and ranchers, consisted of:
Tod Fleming, Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales, in Wisconsin and Iowa;
Dr. Clarence Siroky, Idaho State Veterinarian;
Dr. Todd Thrift, University of Florida Extension Specialist; and
Dr. Dave Wiklund, Minnesota Animal ID Coordinator.
Electronic reading of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags is a key
element of the new National Animal Identification System (NAIS), which is
currently being developed in a partnership between industry and state and
federal governments.
According to the panelists, the existing systems needed for reading
identification tags electronically cannot be used without “customization”
and physical adjustments.
Fleming noted sale of cattle at a rate of 6-10 per minute in their markets,
highlighting the importance of making the system in line with the speed of
commerce.
Thrift graphically illustrated both need for customization of equipment and
market reluctance. “In Florida most of our markets are used to reading adult
animal IDs as aresult of the brucellosis eradication program. But those same
chutes are an entirely different physical situation for a 400 pound calf.”
NIAA
annual meeting provides first-hand update on animal identification: 2009 given
as goal for mandatory ID
April 11, 2005
National Institute for Animal Agriculture Media Release
http://www.animalagriculture.org/headline/2005NR/NR_2005IdentificationUpdate.htm
ST. PAUL, Minn.—In giving a progress report on development of a National
Animal Identification System (NAIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture
Undersecretary Bill Hawks, reassured the industry that mandatory participation
would not be put in place until all confidentially issues had been resolved,
though the administration hopes to make this a reality by 2009.
Hawks addressed the members of the Animal Identification and Information Systems
Committee for the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) at their
annual meeting last week.
Regarding the confidentiality issue, which has been a concern for some in the
industry, the Bush Administration has sent a bill to Congress that would exempt
the data collected for NAIS from the Freedom of Information Act.
Hawks urged the industry to actively support this legislation.
He also told the animal agriculture professionals from across the country that
the required report on NAIS progress had been sent to Congress earlier this week
so that he expected the more than $33 million NAIS operating funds for the
current fiscal year would be released soon.
Neil Hammerschmidt, NAIS coordinator for the USDA, reported on the
implementation progress of the program for the year, including various field
trials and the fact that 45 states have voluntary premises identification
programs in place. More than 50,000 premises have been registered across the
country.
In addition, he said that the USDA plans to publish the NAIS Strategic Plan in
the Federal Register in the near future. He urged the industry to review the
plan carefully and make appropriate comments and recommendations.
NIAA will continue to remain engaged in the NAIS development, by continuing to
bring industry input to the system, according to president and CEO Glenn Slack.
NIAA produced resolutions this year in support of APHIS' work in implementing
NAIS, as well as supporting funding for completing premises registration and
data collection capabilities.
NIAA
symposium challenges animal agriculture’s role for the future
April 11, 2005
National Institute for Animal Agriculture Media Release
http://www.animalagriculture.org/headline/2005NR/NR_2005ZoonoticSymposium.htm
ST. PAUL, Minn.— Attendees to the National Institute for Animal
Agriculture’s (NIAA) symposium, Protecting the Global Food Supply: Growing
Concerns for Emerging Zoonotic Diseases, were left with a very key message: we
must strengthen animal and human health together.
The symposium, held on Thursday in conjunction with the 2005 NIAA Annual
Meeting, focused on the importance of animal agriculture’s role in
safeguarding international health, for domestic animals, wildlife and humans.
“There is a need for linkages to veterinarians, medical doctors—all health
sectors,” said Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious
Disease Research and Policy and associate director for the Department of
Homeland Security’s National Center for Food Protection and Defense at the
University of Minnesota. “[Animal agriculture is] the traffic controller, at
the interface for the future.”
Osterholm provided insight into key diseases that have high zoonotic, or
transmissible to humans, implications such as influenza. Additionally, he
challenged leaders to take a more aggressive role in diseases that have great
social and economic implications.
“You (animal agriculture) still have to fight the uphill battle,” said
Osterholm, “providing a road for the future.”
Other presentations throughout the day addressed key issues, such as the
importance for international coordination, the increasing importance of the
World Animal Health Organization (OIE), the need for more science-based
standards worldwide, use of technologies for prevention and control of disease
and the importance of communication throughout the world from technicians to the
general public.
“Unless we build walls around our border, we rely on the national services of
other countries,” said Dr. Kevin Walker, director of the Agricultural Health
and Food Safety Directorate at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on
Agriculture. “It’s in our best interest that we be strong.”
Presenters at the symposium, in addition to Osterholm and Walker, included: Dr.
Michael Perdue, CDC Animal Influenza Liaison to the World Health Organization;
Dr. John Smith, chairman of the U.S. Animal Health Association Committee on
Transmissable Diseases of Poultry and Other Avian Species; Dave Schmidt,
International Food Information Council; Dr. Pratuang Sudsakorn, Animal Health
and Technical Services for the CPF Group in Thailand; Dr. Jimmy Tickel, North
Carolina Department of Agriculture; Dr. Alfonso Torres, Cornell University
College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Brian Evans, Canadian Food Inspection
Agency; Mike Robach, Cargill, Inc.; Dr. Susan Harlander, BT Safety, LLC; and a
panel of key leaders in Minnesota involved with a collaborative effort to
protect the global food supply. Their presentations will be made available on
the internet at www.animalagriculture.org in the coming days.
Vet
schools to re-shape curricula to meet 21st century challenges
April 11, 2005
National Institute for Animal Agriculture Media Release
http://www.animalagriculture.org/headline/2005NR/NR_2005Osburn.htm
ST. PAUL, Minn.—The unique challenges facing animal agriculture in the 21st
century such as bioterrorism and zoonotic diseases as well as new technologies
require schools of veterinary medicine to prepare their graduates to do more
than “simply treat animal diseases” according to Dr. Bennie I. Osburn, Dean
of the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine. Osburn delivered
the keynote address to the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) at
its annual meeting last week.
Dr. Osburn cited the fact that only 70 veterinarians are responsible for nine
billion head of poultry, 75 veterinarians look after 120 million head of hogs
and 75 for 30 million head of beef cattle.
Dr. Osburn further points out that with the large concentration of animals in
various areas, emerging new diseases such as avian flu and BSE as well as the
treat of bioterrorism, veterinarians today need a different skill set.
“They need to be able to help their clients set up biosecurity plans and
procedures,” said Osburn. “They need to be able to help their clients train
employees in not only executing biosecurity procedures but in recognizing and
treating animals. Often these employees speak little or no English.”
“Technology, whether it is an environmental monitoring system in a poultry
facility or a data transmission and storage system or GPS system, requires
today’s vet to be technically savvy and up-to-date,” he says.
North
America's largest organic grocer tackles animal welfare
April 12, 2005
Meristem Land and Science
www.meristem.com
Calgary, Alta. - The largest organic grocery store chain in North America has
its sights set on new animal welfare requirements for meat suppliers - a move
expected to help drive major animal welfare changes for the agriculture and food
industry.
"Whole Foods Market was groundbreaking with it involvement in developing
organic standards in the U.S., and now it's hoping to play a part in some
animal welfare changes," says Anne Malleau, Executive Director of the
Austin-based company's new Animal Compassion Foundation. "We plan to have a
set of standards for every species that we sell in our stores by the end of
2008."
Though a small company by retail sector standards, Whole Foods Market's network
of 168 stores, including two in Canada, generates an average $800 per square
foot of retail space - twice the industry average. Last year, it generated over
3.3 billion dollars worth of sales.
The company has championed a range of sustainability issues throughout its
25-year history and now plans to continue that tradition by establishing a new
line of meat products based on high animal welfare standards, says Malleau.
"The most important thing is that we create standards that are based in
science. We want to make changes that are actually proven to be better for the
animal - not just changes we think are better for the animal."
Malleau, discusses this and other key challenges to implementing enhanced
standards in a new article on the Meristem Land and Science Web site,
www.meristem.com. Land and Science is a service featuring information on the
sustainability of agriculture, food production and the environment. It is
presented by Meristem Information Resources Ltd., in co-operation with partners
in agriculture, food, environment and life sciences.
Malleau discussed the company's animal welfare initiative at the recent
Livestock Care Conference in Red Deer, hosted by Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC).
The initiative fits within the company's overall growth plans, she says. Whole
Foods Market is aiming to expand to over 300 stores by 2010, including expansion
in Canada. The company has stores in Vancouver and Toronto, and a new store will
open in Oakville this May.
In 2003, the company recruited experts and stakeholders as advisors in a process
that led to the development of a 15-stage plan for setting up welfare standards
for various species. It started with ducks and is now at stage 13 with that
species. Whole Foods Market has also started work on swine, lamb and beef
cattle.
A major challenge for any new standards that require producer participation is
generating incentive at that level - a challenge that Whole Foods Market
understands, says Malleau. "We recognize that welfare costs money. So with
our new standards, the idea is that any producer that meets the standards will
receive an additional premium, as a profit-sharing approach."
Meristem Land and Science, anchored at www.meristem.com, features "Progress
and perspective from the best minds in agriculture, food and the
environment." The current version also features an article on how oilseeds
are finding a high-value fit in feeder cattle rations.
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