FSNET SEPTEMBER 1, 2000

Dirty dining; York eateries to post ratings
Well 6 in Walkerton taken out of service as a precautionary measure
Peanut allergy just the start of a parent箂 worries
MOE should regulate Ontario箂 factory farms
Cattle feedlots multiply risk of E. coli outbreaks
Farmers being used as target group as Harris tackles Walkerton crisis
correction
AMI statement on USDA HIMP program
American foodservice to use Surebeam irradiation process
Notice of availability of proposed national pollutant discharge elimination
system (``NPDES构) general permit for discharges from concentrated animal
feeding operations in Arizona
Revision to the federal underground injection control (UIC)
Requirements for class I-municipal wells in Florida
**********

FSnet is produced by the Centre for Safe Food at the University of Guelph,
and is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural
Affairs,
Health Canada, the U.S. National Pork Producers, the U.S. National Food
Processors Association, Pfizer Animal Health Group, Ag-West Biotech, AGCare
(Agricultural Groups Concerned About Resources and the Environment),
Monsanto Canada, Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited (Canada), Canadian Animal Health
Institute, Novartis Crop Protection Canada, Meat & Livestock Australia,
Canadian On-Farm Food Safety Program, Unilever Research, Halton Regional
Health Department, Ontario Egg Producers, Canadian Pork Council, the U.S.
National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Maple Leaf Meats/Poultry, Caravelle
Foods, CKE Restaurants Inc., the Rutgers Food Risk Analysis Initiative,
Ontario Farm Animal Council, Fleishman-Hillard Canada, Food Safety
Initiative at New England Medical Center, J.M. Schneider, University of
Illinois, CLF Central Laboratories, Capital Health, ConAgra Refrigerated
Prepared Foods, Parmalat Food, Tyson Foods, Freybe Sausage Ltd., the Ontario
Soybean Growers Marketing Board, the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, Food
Industry Environmental Network, Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors,
Adculture, Chicken Farmers of Canada, MDS Nordion, American Meat Institute,
International Food Focus, 3M, Saskatchewan Nutraceutical Network, ABC
Research, and the Agricultural Adaptation Council(CanAdapt Program).

archieved at:
http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/safefood/archives/fsnet-archives.htm

**********
DIRTY DINING; YORK EATERIES TO POST RATINGS; REGION APPROVES WARNING-SIGN
SYSTEM SIMILAR TO TORONTO筍
September 1, 2000
The Toronto Star
Gail Swainson
http://www.thestar.com/thestar/editorial/toronto/20000901NEW01_CI-DINING1.ht
ml
York Region has, aaccording to this story, come up with its own restaurant
rating system that mirrors a plan put into place in Toronto to alert the
public to dirty eateries.
Regional chair Bill Fisch was quoted as saying, ``We箆e gone with the same
system that Toronto has proposed - it箂 a good system.构
The story says that Toronto passed a tough inspection plan last month
requiring restaurants, takeout shops, catering services, care institutions,
bakeries and grocery stores to post signs near their entrances showing
inspection results.
Toronto箂 rating system - which will show whether the restaurant has passed
inspection, failed, or been given a conditional pass - will be in place on a
voluntary basis this fall and be mandatory by mid-2001.
Peel, Durham and Halton regions are considering following Toronto and York箂
lead in cleaning up restaurants that don箃 meet basic standards.




WELL 6 IN WALKERTON TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE
August 31, 2000
from a press release
TORONTO -- The Ontario Ministry of the Environment today announced that Well
6 in the Town of Walkerton is temporarily out of service as a precautionary
measure.
The well was taken out of service as a result of samples in the water system
which showed potential water quality concerns. Tests of the water system
taken on the 26th, 27, and 28th of August found elevated counts of total
coliforms, a common indicator of water quality. Followup sampling since the
28th has indicated no total coliforms are present. At no time did the
samples find E.coli in the system.
Samples from Well 6 also indicated the presence of total coliforms and an
indication of elevated turbidity, a measure of suspended particles in the
water. The well was temporarily taken out of service on Tuesday of this
week.
"The Ministry箂 first priority is to ensure confidence in a safe water
supply for the people of Walkerton," said Environment Minister Dan Newman.
"This latest measure is part of those ongoing efforts."
Over the next few days, extensive tests will be conducted on Well 6 as part
of ongoing hydrogeological studies. Walkerton residents will be asked to
assist with the studies by reducing their use of water from the system while
the tests are underway.
The Ministry is also reminding residents of Walkerton that the boil water
advisory issued by the Medical Officer of Health on May 21 is still in
effect.  Residents should continue to follow the precautions prescribed by
the local health unit.
--
For further information: Isabella Di Cristofaro, (416) 314-6666,
Communications Branch; Hal Vincent, (416) 314-6739, Minister箂 Office
Ontario Ministry of The Environment has 66 releases in this database.



ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY SHUTS DOWN WALKERTON WELL AS PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE
August 31, 2000
CP Wire
TORONTO -- Another well that supplies water to residents in Walkerton, Ont.,
has been taken out of service as a precautionary measure, the Ministry of
the
Environment announced Thursday.
Well 6 was temporarily removed from service on Tuesday after samples in the
water system showed potential water quality concerns, the ministry said in a
news release.
Tests on the well taken between Saturday and Monday found elevated counts of
total coliforms, a common indicator of water quality, the release said.
Subsequent tests have indicated no total coliforms are present.
The release said there was no evidence in the well samples of E. coli媡he
bacteria that tainted the town箂 drinking water in mid-May, causing six
people to die and 2,000 more to become sick.
Samples from Well 6 also indicated the presence of total coliforms and an
indication of elevated turbidity, a measure of suspended particles in the
water.
The well was temporarily taken out of service on Tuesday.
Tests on Well 6 will continue over the next few days as part of ongoing
hydrogeological studies, the release said.
A report released Wednesday noted that Well 5 -- suspected as a possible
source of the town箂 tainted water tragedy媔s susceptible to farm runoff.
Well 5 was found to be contaminated with E. coli bacteria when testing was
done in May.
Interim findings from a hydrogeological study suggested Well 5 should be
abandoned.
The report also suggested the town箂 newest and most productive well媁ell 7
-- which was also found to be contaminated in May, provides good quality
water.
The boil water advisory issued on May 21 for Walkerton residents remains in
effect.




MOE SHOULD REGULATE ONTARIO筍 FACTORY FARMS
September 1, 2000
Owen Sound Sun Times
Reader箂 Views
A4
Letter
Kathy McCarrel of Port Elgin writes that  the Walkerton E. coli tragedy has
brought concerns surrounding the growing trend towards large-scale
intensively produced livestock production into the spotlight Gord Miller,
the environmental commissioner of Ontario, released a special report on July
27 entitled The Protection of Ontario箂 Groundwater and Intensive Farming.
The environmental commissioner monitors and reports annually to the
Legislative Assembly on compliance by provincial ministries with the
Environmental Bill of Rights. Mr. Miller states that a ``confused patchwork
of policies and laws构 attempt to protect and conserve our valuable
groundwater resources in this province.
He also warns ``you don箃 have to look too long or too far to find examples
of environmental damage caused by manure management from large livestock
operations构. He calls on the Ministry of the Environment to take the lead
role to implement legislation to regulate this industry and questions why
OMAFRA (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) is the
ministry presently drafting the new rules for intensive agriculture.
Mr. Miller raises an important point explaining that the concern ``is that
the public箂 right to a healthful environment is being threatened by
intensive agricultural practices构 but ``OMAFRA箂 primary client group is
the Ontario farm industry构. He asks: ``Isn箃 OMAFRA in a direct conflict of
Interest here构? Mr. Miller urges the public to make their comments known on
the Environmental Registry www.eco.on.ca before Sept. 16. The public is also
invited to mail comments to OMAFRA, 1 Stone Road West, Guelph, Ont., N1G 4Y2
by Sept. 15.
McCarrel says that the proposal being put forth by OMAFRA, falls ``way构
short of the real change needed to protect our ground water from the hazards
created
by the massive volumes of liquid manure produced by the intensive livestock
industry. This ``new face of agriculture构 must be regulated by the Ministry
of the Environment as an industry.
On July 18, the Ontario Municipal Board (0MB) ruled that municipalities do
have the right to restrict this type of land use within their jurisdictions.
One of the questions facing the board was did the Municipality of West Perth
have the right to place a limit on the number of livestock units that can
occupy one site? (Our provincial government launched the challenge against
West Perth).
The board ruled ``yes构, it is within the jurisdiction of a municipality to
do this. Therefore, in areas that do not support mega hog factories, for
example, as a use of the land, councils can now effectively ``ban构
corporate livestock industries by setting a low numerical limit of animal
units allowed per 100 acre site within their zoning bylaws. This is a
precedent-setting ruling by the 0MB.
The Town of Saugeen Shores is currently seeking funding to conduct a study
of the health of the aquifers in their region. Data collected through this
process, would undoubtedly lend support to the position, that land in the
fragile Saugeen watershed is truly unsuitable for utilizing the thousands of
gallons of liquid manure that mega livestock factories pour onto the soil.
Would this type of land use negatively impact our groundwater supply? This
would be wise spending of taxpayers dollars. It must be done.
ALERT is a provincial coalition of concerned citizens groups working in
partnership with the Sierra Club of Canada on this issue. We hope to present
our position before Justice O笴onnor in Walkerton this fall. Visit our Web
site at www.alertontario.org to find out how you can help (click on ``Call
To Action构).




CATTLE FEEDLOTS MULTIPLY RISK OF E. COLI OUTBREAKS
September 1, 2000
The Edmonton Journal
City
B1 / Front
News
Rick Pedersen, Journal Staff Writer
University of Alberta microbiology professor Glen Armstrong was cited as
saying that cattle feedlots are a breeding ground for E. coli, the bacteria
that killed six people and sickened 2,000 in the Ontario town of Walkerton
in May and that manure from one infected cow can contain enough bacteria to
infect almost
all the people on earth.
The story says that crowding cattle together, as is done at huge feedlots,
spreads O157.
Armstrong was quoted as saying during a luncheon speech to the Downtown
Rotary Club that, ``Just doing the arithmetic, one infected cow, bull or
steer is capable of producing enough E. coli O157 to infect most of the
humans on the face of the planet.构
Armstrong compared the increased risk in feedlots to playing Russian
roulette. Putting more E. coli O157 into the environment is like putting a
second or third bullet into the revolver, he said.
Water contamination is the suspected cause of the Walkerton outbreak. But
other outbreaks were caused when cattle manure used for fertilizer
contaminated vegetable fields.
To make matters worse, the bacteria has staying power. Scientists checked
contaminated manure three months after it was spread on a field and found
the organism still alive, said Armstrong.
He offered several suggestions for preventing infections:
More vigilance among water-treatment officials and those who inspect meat.
Careful cooking. Even contaminated hamburgers are safe when they are
well-done all the way through. Normal cooking kills bacteria on the surface
of steaks or roasts.
Wash thoroughly after handling raw meat so the bacteria isn箃 accidentally
spread.
In the longer term, Armstrong said the risk can be reduced with a cattle
vaccine to wipe out the dangerous strain of E. coli in feedlots.



FARMERS BEING USED AS TARGET GROUP AS HARRIS TACKLES WALKERTON CRISIS
September 1, 2000
The Ottawa Citizen
A15
Gordon E. Garlough of Williamsburg writes in this letter that on July 10,
Agriculture Minister Ernie Hardeman released the Proposed
Standards for Agricultural Operations in Ontario. Farmers and farm
organizations had expected legislation to deal with the storage and use of
crop nutrients, especially livestock and poultry manures.
Instead, the legislation will be a massive omnibus bill that will have the
power to impose or regulate standards on almost any aspect of a farm
operation.
Garlough says that according to the information available to date, the bill
would classify farms according to size, specify standards for things like
manure storage
(anything that is not already covered by the Building Code), require plans
and records for the use of all nutrients (manure, fertilizer, biosolids) and
the ongoing maintenance of those plans and records and prescribe fee
payments associated with those records.
The bill will also set enforcement rules and establish penalties for
infractions.
As with many other changes in Ontario since 1995, theHarris government
appears to be poised to railroad this bill into law at a pace well above the
speed limit. Mr. Hardeman has asked farmers to make their concerns and
suggestions known to the ministry by Sept. 15.
Why is this all happening and why so suddenly? In a word, Walkerton.
Garlough says that in 1995, the Harris government decided that the
government箂 own role in the rural environment area (water supply, sewage
treatment, water resource protection) were not ``cost-effective.构 Mr.
Harris dumped the responsibility and the costs on our municipal governments.
Then, two months ago, came the unfortunate events at Walkerton. The
provincial government was caught in its own folly. Now, the government wants
to find a way out that will restore its own public (political) image without
being forced to spend too much Ontario government money.
The new ``omnibus构 bill imposing the agricultural standards will likely set
the rules that are to be imposed on farmers, who will be expected to pay a
good share of the compliance costs.
The responsibility for and the financial costs associated with
implementation, supervision and enforcement will likely be dumped on our
municipal governments.
It is a very unpleasant outlook for farmers; it is equally unpleasant for
our municipal governments.
Five years ago, Mr. Harris had no problem downloading the matter. It saved
him money and would focus any (future) public anger on our municipal
councillors.
The events at Walkerton have put the Harris government spin-doctors in a
``crisis构 mode.
They will use farmers as the target group to show their own so-called
political leadership in clearing up the water scandal issues.




CORRECTION
September 1, 2000
The Calgary Herald
News
A2
Correction
Calgary Herald
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is not known as mad cow disease.
Mad cow disease is the common name for bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
According to Health Canada, CJD and mad cow disease belong to a group of
diseases known as prion diseases, which occur worldwide in both animals and
humans.
CJD is a rare form which occurs in humans.
A story on Page A5 of Thursday箂 Herald contained incorrect information.




AMI STATEMENT ON USDA HIMP PROGRAM/ NEW DATA SHOWING FOOD SAFETY
IMPROVEMENTS; STATEMENT OF THE AMERICAN MEAT INSTITUTE ON HACCP INSPECTION
MODELS PROJECT
August 31, 2000
American Meat Institute
The meat industry is pleased that the HACCP Inspection
Models Pilot (HIMP) is resulting in dramatic improvements in food safety,
according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Those
plants volunteering to test USDA箂 new system are food safety pioneers who
are helping to modernize and upgrade the government箂 inspection program.
Food safety is an evolving science.  Just as our plants have
made many changes to keep pace with science, the government箂 inspection
system must make similar changes.  Initial results from the HIMP project
suggest this model program correlates to safer meat and poultry.  Consumers
should find this positive news reassuring, and we think this promising
program should continue.
Unfortunately, some who fear progress have misrepresented
this program.    Let there be no mistake:  plants participating in the
project are producing safe foods that meet all current USDA inspection
regulations, which require that diseased animals be condemned and that only
safe and wholesome meat and  poultry products be permitted to enter the food
supply.  The meat and poultry industry benefits by selling safe food.  Those
inspectors who have criticized the HIMP program cannot dispute this fact,
nor can they dispute USDA箂 new data, which show that the Pilot is enhancing
food safety.
AMI represents the interests of packers and processors of
beef, pork, lamb, veal and turkey products and their suppliers throughout
North America.  Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute provides
legislative, regulatory and public relations services, conducts scientific
and economic research, offers marketing and technical assistance and
sponsors education programs.
http://www.meatami.org/convention_2000.pdf



AMERICAN FOODSERVICE TO USE SUREBEAM IRRADIATION PROCESS
September 1, 2000
The MEATing Place
Bryan Salvage
www.meatingplace.com
American Foodservice Corp., one of the largest independent ground beef
producers in the United States, has signed an exclusive, multiyear agreement
to evaluate San Diego-based Titan Corp.箂 patented SureBeam electronic
pasteurization technology on its ground beef products.
Under the terms of the agreement, SureBeam will be the sole provider of
electronic pasteurization services. American Foodservice manufactures fresh
and frozen beef patties for several of the nation箂 largest fast-food and
casual-theme restaurant chains.
"We selected SureBeam箂 electron beam technology because it is consistent
and easy to control," said Barry Renninger, president and chief operating
officer of American Foodservice. "SureBeam箂 technology also has a higher
likelihood of consumer acceptance and allows us to expand our product
offerings to food distributors and grocery chains."
American Foodservice, a leader in developing state-of-the-art food safety
programs for the foodservice industry, has plants in King of Prussia, Pa.,
and Fort Worth, Texas.





NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF PROPOSED NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION
SYSTEM (``NPDES构) GENERAL PERMIT FOR DISCHARGES FROM CONCENTRATED ANIMAL
FEEDING OPERATIONS IN ARIZONA
September 1, 2000
Federal Register (Volume 65, Number 171)
[Notices]
[Page 53301-53304]
 [DOCID:fr01se00-117]
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2000_register&doci
d=00-22523-filed
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6863-7]
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed NPDES general permit, and request
for comments.
SUMMARY: The Regional Administrator, EPA, Region 9, is proposing to issue an
NPDES general permit (permit No. AZG800000) for discharges from concentrated
animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Arizona. This document announces the
availability of the proposed general permit and fact sheet for public
comment. When issued, the proposed permit will establish effluent
limitations, prohibitions, best management practices and other conditions
governing the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States from
these CAFOs.
DATES: Comments. Comments on the proposed general permit must be received or
postmarked no later than October 20, 2000.
Public Hearing. A public hearing to receive public comment concerning the
proposed general permit will be held on October 12, 2000 at 4 pm.
ADDRESSES: Comments. Public comments and requests for coverage should be
sent to: Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9, Attn: CWA Standards and
Permits Office, WTR-5. 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, California
94105-3901. EPA requests that interested parties send a copy of their
comments on the proposed general permit and fact sheet to Linda Taunt, Reuse
and Federal Permits Unit, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, 3033
North Central, Phoenix, AZ 85012.
Public Hearing. The public hearing will be held at: Arizona Department of
Environmental Quality, Room 1706, 3033 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona,
85012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shirin Tolle or Jacques Landy, EPA, at the
address listed above or telephone Shirin Tolle at (415) 744-1898 or Jacques
Landy at (415) 744-1922. Copies of the proposed general permit and fact
sheet will be provided upon request and are also available at EPA, Region
9箂 website at http://www.epa.gov/region09/water/npdes/ index.html (permit
link located under section heading Draft NPDES permits).



REVISION TO THE FEDERAL UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL (UIC)
REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASS I-MUNICIPAL WELLS IN FLORIDA
September 1, 2000
Federal Register: (Volume 65, Number 171)
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 53218-53219]
 [DOCID:fr01se00-33]
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2000_register&doci
d=00-22519-filed
40 CFR Part 146
[FRL-6863-4]
RIN 2040-AD40
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule; Extension of comment period.
SUMMARY: EPA is extending the comment period for the proposed rule Revision
to the Federal Underground Injection Control (UIC) Requirements for Class
I-Municipal Wells in Florida which was published in the Federal Register on
July 7, 2000 at 65 FR 42234. The extension of the comment period is for 45
days to provide interested parties additional time to submit written
comments on the proposal.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before October 20, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Nancy H. Marsh: U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 4; 61 Forsyth St., SW, Atlanta, GA, 30303.
Comments may be submitted electronically to marsh.nancy@epa.gov. For
additional information see Additional Docket information in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical inquiries, contact Nancy
H. Marsh, Ground Water & UIC Section, EPA Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street, SW,
Atlanta, GA 30303 (phone: 404-562-9450; E-mail:
marsh.nancy@epa.gov) or Howard Beard, Office of Ground Water and Drinking
Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Building, 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.,Washington, DC 20460 (phone:
202-260-8796; E-mail: beard.howard@epa.gov). For general information,
contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, phone 800-426-4791. The Safe
Drinking Water Hotline is open Monday through Friday, excluding Federal
holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern daylight-saving time.

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For more information about the FSnet research program, please contact:
Dr. Douglas Powell
dept. of plant agriculture
University of Guelph
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N1G 2W1
tel: 519-824-4120 x2506
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