News in Brief

California Passes Livestock Trespassing Bill
Jan. 2004 -- California Governor Gray Davis in early November signed legislation that makes it a misdemeanor to trespass on lands where any animal is being housed, raised, bred, fed or held for the purpose of food for human consumption.

The bill seeks to address the potential adverse public health and economic consequences of agricultural bio-terrorist attacks. Across the nation, concern is rising over trespassers who enter lands and facilities where animals are being raised with the intent to interfere with lawful business practices and/or to damage property.

SB993 was approved by wide margins in the Assembly and Senate. ?Acts of animal or biological terrorism are a significant threat to California?s farmers and consumers,? stated Sen. Chuck Poochigian (R-Fresno), the bill?s introducer. ?I am pleased that we are taking a step forward to equip law enforcement to protect the resources and citizens of the state from such acts.?


Canadian Producers Get Lamb in Country?s Costcos
Jan. 2004 -- Efforts by about 150 Saskatchewan sheep producers over the last five years to get more of their product onto more Canadian plates has finally paid-off: On Nov. 10, a deal was signed with Costco to place processed lamb products into 38 of its eastern Canadian stores.

?Now we?ve got to deliver 8,500 pounds for the initial order of cooked marinated lamb kebabs,? said sheep producer Gordon Schroeder.

The result of thousands of taste tests led the producers to focus on three products: cooked lamb in Moroccan orange sauce, marinated kebabs and appetizer meatballs with dipping sauce.

The Costco order is expected to be filled by Jan. 1, 2004, at which time new retail packaging should also be ready.

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