Health Matters

Indemnity Payment for Brucellosis in Sheep

The U.S. Department of Agriculture?s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued July 15, 2004, an amendment to the brucellosis indemnity regulations via the July 13 edition of the Federal Register.

 

The final rule allows for indemnity payments by APHIS for sheep, goats and horses destroyed due to brucellosis.

 

According to APHIS, the action makes it easier to eliminate affected flocks/herds and infected animals as sources of infection by encouraging herd and flock owners to cooperate with the brucellosis eradication program.

 

The action also is intended to help reduce the incidence of brucellosis and the likelihood of its spreading within the United States.

 

The indemnity amount will be the appraised fair market value of the animal, less its salvage value.

 

Interim Premise Registration Selected

The U.S. Department of Agriculture?s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced July 19, 2004, its selection of a premises registration system, as an interim solution, to record locations where animals reside or will reside.

 

The Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium developed the system that will be used in this first step of implementing the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

 

?Registering animal premises is a key component of a NAIS and will help trace animal movements during any future outbreaks,? stated APHIS Administrator W. Ron DeHaven.

 

USDA currently is enhancing the Wisconsin system to enable its eventual use in multiple states, and use in limited states by early August. The system will be ?phased-in? to ensure that any problems can be addressed before it is available nationally.

 

States and tribes can also use other premises registration systems as long as the system meets the national data standards.

 

Actions to Strengthen BSE Safeguards

Health and Human Service Secretary Tommy G. Thompson and Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced July 9, 2004, three actions that are being taken to further strengthen existing safeguards to protect consumers against the agent that causes bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

 

The three actions include:

–          a notice asking for public comment on additional preventive actions that are being considered concerning BSE [http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-15882.htm];

–          an interim final rule that prohibits the use of certain cattle-derived materials in human food and cosmetics [http://frwebgate4.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=99447418015+2+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve] ; and

–          a proposed rule on recordkeeping requirements for the interim final rule relating to this ban [http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-15880.htm].

 

?The series of firewalls already in place offer excellent protection against BSE,? said Acting Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Lester M. Crawford. ?With these additional measures, we will make a strong system even stronger by putting into effect the most comprehensive, science-based improvements possible.?

 

Comments for each of the documents should be submitted as directed in the links supplied above.

 

 

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