Experimental vaccine offers improved protection for poultry

Chickens are vulnerable to a range of infectious diseases similar to those affecting humans. Fowl typhoid is a widespread and devastating illness, particularly in the developing world, where the birds are a vital source of income and nutrition. Now, Ken Roland and his colleagues at the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University have developed a candidate vaccine to safeguard poultry from fowl typhoid infection, while also providing protection from a related human bacterial strain – Salmonella Enteritidis.  Read More

USDA offering free webinar to promote Bird Health Awareness Week

The week of February 24 – March 2, 2013 is Bird Health Awareness Week. Activities and programs offered throughout the week will give students, bird lovers and poultry owners the opportunity to learn simple steps to keep their flocks healthy. Bird Health Awareness Week is part of the USDA Animal and Plant Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Biosecurity for Birds campaign to promote awareness of and ways to prevent the spread of infectious poultry diseases.

US poultry groups express support for US-EU trade pact

Following the White House announcement yesterday that bilateral negotiations of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the United States and the European Union will be launched, the National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation, USA Poultry & Egg Export Council and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association jointly expressed strong support for the new international trade initiative.

On trade, California Republican Nunes is an Obama critic turned ally

 New plans for a big European trade deal put President Barack Obama and Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., on the same page, for now. Obama wants the deal covering trade and investment with the European Union. To get it, he must navigate the House of Representatives’ trade subcommittee chaired by Nunes. What happens next will test the cooperation of two men who, until now, have rarely agreed on anything.

Ban on flea-market animal sales proposed by California lawmaker

 Puppies, kittens and other live animals could not be sold at flea markets or swap meets under legislation proposed this week by a Sacramento legislator.

Assemblyman Roger Dickinson’s measure, Assembly Bill 339, would make first offenses an infraction punishable by a fine of up to $250. If an animal suffers or is injured, however, the charge can be hiked to a misdemeanor and the fine to $1,000.

NCC, broad coalition urge USDA to uphold its commitment to food safety inspection

 The National Chicken Council today, along with 37 organizations representing various aspects of animal agriculture, livestock and poultry producers, food processing and manufacturing, retail, international trade and transportation, wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to express strong concerns with the possibility of furloughing the nation’s federal meat, poultry and egg products inspectors in the event sequestration goes into effect.

USDA food inspection threatened by automatic U.S. budget cuts

 As Congressionally mandated budget cuts move closer to their Mar. 1 launch, reports are surfacing that the nation’s food inspection operations will be forced to undergo serious changes that will impact food safety and prices. A memo distributed by the White House last week indicated that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety and Inspection Service will be forced to shut down operations for as long as 15 days, a finding USDA officials confirmed to Meatingplace today. 

Are plant-based diets environmentally friendly?

 A nutritious diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables might not be the greenest in its environmental impact, according to a new study from France. After analyzing the eating habits […]