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Cattle Health Quality Assurance/Residue Avoidance
BACKGROUND:
Animal health and production food safety is needed at the farm level,
which is the first step in the food chain. The application of best
management practices will eliminate or reduce the risks of chemical
residues and microbial pathogens. POSITION STATEMENT: The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) supports the implementation of quality assurance on a local, state, and national level. Further, NIAA encourages quality assurance education of all interested and concerned commodity groups, industries and professional organizations to promote dissemination of information and encourage implementation of best management practices. Approved:
2000 |
Reaffirmed: 2001 |
Reaffirmed: 2002 | Amended: 2003
| Reaffirmed:
2004
Johne’s
Disease
BACKGROUND: Johne’s disease is a chronic, progressive intestinal disease caused by an infection with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. It is an insidious wasting away disease affecting cattle and other livestock species. Knowledge of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, management, treatment and control is increasing. Johne’s disease adversely affects the intrastate and interstate movement of cattle and the international export market, causing an excess of $1 billion annually in lost revenue to our livestock industry. POSITION STATEMENT: The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) supports the USDA Uniform Program Standards for the Voluntary Bovine Johne’s Disease Control Program and recognizes the contributions of the National Johne’s Working Group, a subcommittee of the USAHA Johne’s Committee, in developing the various program elements, procedures and infrastructure necessary to support implementation of the Uniform Program Standards. NIAA encourages each state to implement a voluntary program of Johne’s disease control based on the Uniform Program Standards and encourages producers and veterinarians to implement recommended best management practices to reduce the incidence of Johne’s disease in U.S. cattle herds. NIAA continues to support annual program funding at $18.74 million an additional $1.5 million for ARS and $1.2 million for Johne’s Disease Integrated Program. Approved: 2000 | Amended: 2001 | Amended: 2002 | Amended: 2003 | Amended: 2004 | Amended: 2005
U.S. TB Interim Rule
BACKGROUND:
The Border States consensus document has been replaced by the USDA TB
Interim Rule. RESOLUTION:
That National Institute for Animal Agriculture supports the USDA TB
Interim Rule, which outlines specific requirements that must be met by
each Mexican state within a prescribed time period for cattle to continue
to be exported to the U.S. Also, NIAA encourages USDA to finalize the TB
International Rules in a timely manner. Approved:
2002 |
Reaffirmed: 2003 |
Reaffirmed: 2004
Support for NAHMS Livestock Surveys
BACKGROUND:
The health of livestock in the United States is of prime importance to
NIAA. Qualification of health and management of animal agriculture is
critically needed with the help of producer groups and government. POSITION
STATEMENT:
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) supports the
development of NAHMS surveys, special projects, and surveillance programs
and their successful completion, proper evaluation, and dissemination of
results. Approved: 2000 | Amended: 2001 | Reaffirmed: 2002 | Reaffirmed: 2003 | Reaffirmed: 2004 | Reaffirmed: 2005
Bovine Virus Diarrhea
(BVD)
BACKGROUND:
Newly recognized variants of BVD virus have the potential of creating high
morbidity and mortality in naive herds or improperly vaccinated herds. BVD
persistently infected cattle are the main source of infection. POSITION
STATEMENT:
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) encourages the
education of veterinarians and producers on BVD disease, the proper use of
BVD vaccines in the prevention of disease and the adoption of testing
procedures to identify persistently infected carriers. Approved: 2000 | Amended: 2001 | Reaffirmed: 2002 | Amended: 2003 | Reaffirmed: 2004 | Reaffirmed: 2005
Biosecurity/Biocontainment Education
BACKGROUND:
The control of infectious and contagious diseases in livestock populations
is critical to production efficiency and product quality. Biosecurity and
biocontainment strategies employ multiple approaches based on the ecology
of infectious disease agents on livestock premises to reduce the risk of
disease agent entry or spread. POSITION
STATEMENT:
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) supports the
development and implementation of educational programs for livestock
producers and veterinarians on biosecurity and biocontainment. Approved:
2001 |
Amended: 2002 |
Reaffirmed: 2003 | Reaffirmed:
2004 |
Reaffirmed: 2005
Animal Health Safeguarding Review
BACKGROUND:
The Animal Health Safeguarding Review was undertaken to assess the
performance and efficiency of the infrastructure of Veterinary Services.
The review includes activities, procedures, policies, partnerships and
authorities that comprise the existing safeguarding system. Specific
recommendations have been proposed through that review on how to optimize
the system. RESOLUTION:
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) urges APHIS to
continue to follow up and provide needed funding to implement the
recommendations of the Animal Health Safeguarding Review. Approved:
2001 |
Amended: 2002 |
Amended: 2003 | Reaffirmed:
2004
Preventing Exotic Ticks and Hemoparasitic Disease Establishment in the
U.S.A.
BACKGROUND:
There is an increased risk of the introduction and establishment of exotic
animal pests and diseases as a result of the changing dynamics of animal
movements and transmission of hemoparasitic diseases. A particular focus on the risks associated with the Mexican
and Caribbean Region is required. Actions
to prevent the establishment of exotic ticks that infest livestock and
other animals including wildlife in the USA is a continuous task. Such
action requires vigilance, diligence and singleness of focus from
scientific, animal (domestic and wild) and regulatory communities. It
is important that these communities join in a common effort and thrust
aimed at effectively preventing the establishment of exotic ticks and
hemoparasitic diseases in animals in the USA. RESOLUTION:
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) urges the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) to enter into a joint effort with state animal
health officials, animal industries and wildlife interests to define and
support a core organization/commission to facilitate the acquisition and
allocation of continual funding for preventing the establishment of exotic
animal pests and hemoparasitic diseases in the USA. NIAA recognizes and
supports the US-Mexico Bi-National Commission to combat ticks in the US. Approved:
2003 |
Amended: 2004
BSE
Risk Assessment
BACKGROUND:
Bovine
spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a chronic, degenerative disorder
affecting the nervous system of cattle.
It is associated with consumption of animal proteins contaminated
with specific risk materials containing the infective agent.
A
prudent, scientifically sound, risk-based approach to regulation is
essential to control risk of transmission of BSE in North America.
The
quantitative BSE risk assessment prepared by the Harvard Center for Risk
Analysis (the Harvard model) indicates that an amplification of the BSE
agent is unlikely in the U.S. due to Federal feed regulations. The
Harvard model is a useful tool in evaluating the potential effectiveness
of regulatory changes proposed by USDA and FDA.
Since
the confirmation of BSE in North America, USDA has initiated an enhanced
BSE surveillance effort. In
addition, both USDA and FDA have implemented or proposed new regulations
designed to reduce the risk of transmission of BSE.
RESOLUTION:
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) encourages FDA and
USDA to utilize appropriate risk assessment tools, including the Harvard
model and results of the enhanced BSE surveillance effort in evaluating
changes to regulations regarding BSE.
Results of these evaluations should be used in determining the
utility of regulations.
NIAA
continues to encourage USDA and FDA to utilize science as a basis for
public policy decisions regarding BSE.
Prior to initiating regulations affecting the US livestock
industry, greater emphasis needs to be placed on utilizing OIE standards
as well as negotiating North American minimum regulatory standards that
will better harmonize regulations and facilitate trade from minimum risk
regions based on science.
Continued
emphasis on building collaboration with all affected state and industry
partners is critical to long-term success of the National BSE Surveillance
program. Further
regulatory efforts to implement a mammalian-to-mammalian protein ban or
total SRM ban in all animal feed must be based on cost/risk reduction
benefit analysis and comprehensive SRM, deadstock disposal planning.
Use
of Bovine Blood
BACKGROUND:
Bovine
spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a chronic, degenerative disorder
affecting the nervous system of cattle.
It is associated with consumption of animal proteins contaminated
with specific risk materials containing the infective agent.
Fifteen
years of scientific research has demonstrated no detectable BSE agent in
Bovine blood and no transmission of BSE from cow to cow through blood.
Bovine blood is not classified as an SRM by the OIE.
Plasma,
serum and fractions thereof contain biologically important components,
including immunoglobulins, which may be used in colostrum supplements,
colostrum replacers and feed supplements to reduce risk of transmission of
Johne’s disease, brucellosis and other economically important diseases
transmitted via colostrum.
RESOLUTION:
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA), based on current
science, encourages FDA to retain the current bovine blood and blood
products exemption to the ruminant feed ban, including plasma, serum and
fractions thereof for diets used in ruminants and non-ruminants.
U.S.
Bovine Tuberculosis Strategic Plan (2004)
BACKGROUND:
Increased problems with dairy cattle tuberculosis in the western
states, persistent tuberculosis in imported Mexican cattle, exposure of
dairy heifer replacements in feed-lot conditions, and the continued
problem of bovine tuberculosis in Michigan white tail deer and cattle has
resulted in the development of the 2004 U.S. TB Strategic Plan.
Increased funding and surveillance will be required to meet the
challenge of continued infection.
RESOLUTION:
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) supports adequate
funding in the APHIS USDA budget to implement the 2004 U.S. TB Strategic
Plan.
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