News Update
November 7, 2014
Comment Period Extended on Importation of Beef from Argentina
Last week, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reopened and announced a 60-day extension to the comment period for the proposed rule that would allow the importation of fresh beef from northern Argentina. The new deadline to submit comments is Dec. 29, 2014.
With more than 70 documents posted to the Federal Register docket regarding this proposed rule, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), along with the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and the Academy of Veterinary Consultants firmly believe that additional time is required to review and evaluate this extensive number of supporting documents. More than 25% of the supporting documents required obtaining independent English translations prior to their review because, upon request, USDA APHIS was unable to provide translated documents for review.
Because USDA APHIS does not recognize countries or regions that continue to vaccinate against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) as free of the disease, APHIS cannot recognize the northern Argentina region as free of FMD. Yet, APHIS can evaluate the risk presented by fresh/frozen beef products imported under specific conditions. The proposed rule to allow the importation of fresh beef from northern Argentina is based on this situation and the results of an APHIS risk assessment for FMD risk in the region.
A bipartisan group of Congress members recently signed a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting an audit of the APHIS site review process to verify animal health data from requesting export countries that is used in the APHIS risk-assessment process. Questions regarding transparency issues, established and consistent methodology, and the use of appropriate management controls currently exist for these APHIS site visits.
NCBA is in the process of carefully reviewing all available supporting documentation in order to file comprehensive comments concerning its opposition to the proposed rule.
USDA Seeks Input on New Beef Promotion Order
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking input from the public to guide its development of a new industry-funded promotion, research and information order (also known as a “checkoff program”) for beef and beef products. The new order would be in addition to the existing beef checkoff program, providing American beef producers with more resources for the marketing of their products and research to help strengthen the country’s beef industry.
“Beef industry representatives agree that this important program needs more resources. USDA is stepping up at a critical juncture to help achieve the industry’s goal,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “With this action we can boost research investments, increase beef exports and encourage folks here at home to support American beef producers.”
Beef industry leaders agree that the current fee of $1 per-head-of-cattle per producer is too little. The $1 assessment has remained the same since 1985 when Congress first created the Beef Checkoff Program, and the amount can only be changed through Congressional action. This assessment provides resources for marketing to promote beef sales, research and many other benefits for producers. An additional supplemental program like the one USDA is proposing would enhance available resources, which would help the beef industry address important issues including improving and enhancing nutritional and consumer information through initiatives such as consumer advertising, education, research and new-product development.
Additional resources could help increase demand for beef both domestically and internationally, thus benefitting cattle producers and the domestic beef industry. USDA is acting to help beef producers continue to enjoy these benefits — and strengthen them — in a way that works for all producers.
Interested individuals and organizations are invited to provide their views concerning provisions that would be included in the new order. A referendum on an order established under the 1996 Act would be conducted within three years after assessments begin to determine whether beef producers favor the program and if it should continue. A second referendum would be conducted within seven years of the start of the program.
Interested parties have until Dec.10, 2014, to submit comments on any of the issues.
For more information, please view the full release here.
TAHC Adopts Rules for Livestock Industry at Recent Meeting
The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) recently hosted a regularly scheduled Commission meeting on Sept. 16, 2014, at its headquarters in Austin.
The following rules were adopted during the meeting and are now in effect:
Chapter 38, Trichomoniasis, Testing/Herd Certification
The commission adopted two new trichomoniasis (trich) testing requirements and two herd certification program requirements.
- Testing Requirements: If a bull is sold and later found to be infected with trich, other bull(s) from the infected bull’s original herd of origin may be required to be tested if the bull was not exposed to female cattle after the sale and prior to testing by the new owner. A second requirement passed states that if a bull is found to be infected with trich on property not owned or managed by the original caretaker of the bull (a stray), other bull(s) from both the unit of origin and bull(s) found on the premises where the bull was last located must all be officially tested for trichomoniasis.
- Herd Management: The first amendment allows the commission to evaluate the effectiveness of a herd control plan and authorizes the TAHC to choose to continue or disapprove the herd plan based on the progress or lack of progress made with the infected herd. A second amendment requires all herd owners enrolled in the Trich Herd Certification Program to have adequate perimeter fences around their property to prevent the ingress or egress of cattle.
Chapter 51, Entry Requirements, Cattle & Swine
The commission added two exemptions to trich testing requirements concerning the intrastate movement of breeding bulls entering Texas. The commission also added an entry requirement for non-commercial swine entering Texas.
- Cattle: The first testing requirement exemption is for Texas breeding bulls moving directly to an out-of-state facility that tests their gain and feed conversion for cattle (bull test stations). Such bulls do not need to be tested to return back to the Texas premises of origin as long as the bulls have been kept separate from female cattle while participating in the feed trial. The second testing exemption is for breeding bulls that originate from a herd that is enrolled in a trich certification program in another state that is substantially similar to the Texas Certified Trich Free Herd Program and confirmed by the TAHC.
To view the details of the rules recently passed visit www.tahc.state.tx.us/regs/code.html.
For more information, please view the full release here.
OSU Extension Offers Livestock Mortality Composting Certification Workshop Nov. 19
Poultry, dairy, swine, beef cattle and other livestock producers wanting to learn economically and environmentally beneficial ways to handle the death of their animals can earn livestock mortality composting certification through a course offered by experts from the Ohio State University (OSU) College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Livestock producers all have to deal with animal mortality at some point on their farms whether the death is the result of illness, old age, natural disasters or birthing problems, said Dale Ricker, an OSU Extension swine program specialist.
While producers can choose any one of four state-approved methods for disposing of dead livestock in Ohio, composting is the most cost-effective because it can be done onsite with little effort or supplies, Ricker said.
The other legal options to handle livestock mortality include incineration, burial and rendering, he said.
“Composting livestock mortality is one of the most economical options when you consider the issue from a standpoint that it is an issue that a producer can face 365 days a year,” Ricker said. “While it is legal to incinerate livestock mortality, send the animal to a rendering facility or bury the animal, digging to the proper burial depth required by law is hard to do in winter months with frozen ground, for example.
“However, composting can be done easily right on site.”
Law requires certification if producers want to use composting as a method to deal with livestock and poultry mortality in animals that naturally die or have to be euthanized, Ricker said. Ohio requires producers attend a mortality composting training session conducted by OSU Extension.
The workshop begins at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Putnam County office of OSU Extension, 1206 E. 2nd Street, in Ottawa. Registration is $10, which includes a workbook and certificate, and can be paid at the door.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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