News Update

News Update
Aug. 15, 2007

Suspected FMD Sites Test Negative

United Kingdom officials announced today negative test results for two additional sites suspected of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) contamination.

UK officials tested two more sites for FMD after placing a 3-kilometer (km) radius control zone yesterday around a premises in Kent and another in Surrey. After preliminary lab analysis, both locations were given a “provisional all-clear,” according to the country’s Timesonline.co.uk.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds said the risk of FMD spreading beyond the location of its initial outbreak is now “very low,” the web site reports.

A release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) reports that apart from a small area in Surrey, the countryside remains open. According to DEFRA, the specific strain of the virus found makes it “very likely that the source of the infection is the Pirbright site where Merial Animal Health Ltd. and the Institute of Animal Health are located.”

Johanns Re-Establishes Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns has announced his intent to re-establish the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases for a two-year period, determining that the Committee is necessary and in the public interest, the American Meat Institute (AMI) reports.

This notice of intent was posted in the Federal Register Aug. 13.

The purpose of the committee is to advise the Secretary of Agriculture regarding program operations and measures to suppress, control, or eradicate an outbreak of FMD or other destructive foreign animal or poultry diseases, in the event these diseases should enter the United States. According to AMI, the committee also advises the Secretary of Agriculture of means to prevent these diseases.

NCF: Students Encouraged to Apply for Beef Industry Scholarships

Applications are being accepted for the 2008 Beef Industry Scholarship Program, sponsored by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) and the CME Group. All entries must be postmarked by Oct. 5.

Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to young people pursuing careers in the beef industry. The program encourages talented and thoughtful students who have demonstrated a commitment to a career in the beef industry, either through classes, internships or life experience. Graduating high school seniors or full-time undergraduate students enrolled at a two-year or four-year college for the 2008-2009 academic year are encouraged to apply.

Applications must include a 750-word essay that identifies a key issue confronting the beef industry and suggests a solution. Applicants must also submit a letter expressing future career goals and two letters of recommendation. A full description of the scholarship program and application requirements can be found at www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org/scholarship.aspx, or obtained by calling 303-850-3345.

In addition to a scholarship, the first-place winner will receive airfare and lodging to attend the Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in Reno, Nev., Feb. 6-9, 2008.

The Beef Industry Scholarship Program is a cooperative effort of the CME Group and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. It was launched in 1989 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Live Cattle Futures Contract on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.