FDA targets antibiotics in meat [San Francisco Chronicle]
The
Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that it will begin curbing the use
of some medically important antibiotics commonly fed to animals to fatten them
for market, a policy change that could significantly affect both the livestock
industry and human health.…Wednesday's ruling, a three-year plan called the
Veterinary Feed Directive, was hailed by many as a victory for both sides.
Livestock experts say they can still use other antibiotic feed additives - so
long as they are not designated for humans, while the science community said
the restrictions will help reduce overuse.…Although farmers and ranchers will
be allowed to treat animals with antibiotics for therapeutic reasons, they will
now need a licensed veterinarian to authorize use of the drugs, according to
the FDA plan.…"This is a win-win-win for consumers, regulators and the
livestock industries," said Michael Payne, a veterinarian and livestock
pharmacologist at the UC Davis Western Institute for Food Safety and Security.
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Editorial: Preserving
antibiotics for people should be the goal [Los Angeles Times]
Finally,
meaningful new guidelines have been written to stem the overuse of antibiotics
on livestock….The new guidelines are voluntary. We would rather they were law,
but there is ample reason to think they will be widely followed. The two
pharmaceutical companies that between them manufacture most of the affected
veterinary antibiotics have signed on to the plan and have said they will
change their labeling to reflect the guidelines. Existing laws barring
off-label use of veterinary drugs would then make it virtually illegal to use
them for growth. Trade groups for pork, chicken and beef producers also have
come out in support.
Valley
ag officials turn freeze focus from orchards to packinghouses [Fresno Bee]
The
concern over how much damage the San Joaquin Valley's citrus crop has endured
is shifting from the groves to the industry's packinghouses, as freezing
temperatures continue to pose problems for farmers and the homeless. State and
county agriculture officials are asking the citrus industry's packers to wait
48 hours to pack any fruit picked on or before Dec. 11, to allow the county
time to inspect the citrus. Industry officials and government regulators say
they are trying to prevent consumers from getting any freeze-damaged
fruit.…Packinghouse operators say the waiting period is an unfortunate outcome
of dealing with eight days of freezing temperatures.…The waiting period is not
expected to create any delays in fruit, citrus industry officials said. Packing
houses harvested enough fruit prior to the freeze to supply the market through
the holidays.
Feds
join battle against citrus greening in Florida [Associated Press]
The
federal government is getting involved in the fight against citrus greening
disease, in hopes of saving Florida's — and possibly the entire nation's —
citrus crop. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will announce Thursday that
it's creating an "emergency response framework" to battle citrus
greening. It will gather various groups, agencies and experts to coordinate and
focus federal research on fighting the disease….Citrus experts on the West
Coast said they are thankful that the federal government is devoting time and
money to the problem. "Our objective is to make sure USDA looks at this
situation with the urgency we think this deserves," said Joel Nelson,
president of California Citrus Mutual in Exeter, Calif. "This is a very
good move on their part."
Wenger
remains state Farm Bureau chief [Modesto Bee]
Modesto-area
nut grower Paul Wenger won re-election Wednesday as president of the California
Farm Bureau Federation. Delegates at the 95th annual meeting in Monterey voted
unanimously to give Wenger a third two-year term at the helm of the state’s
largest farm group….The post makes Wenger one of the state’s most visible
players in discussions about water, exports, labor, and other issues facing
farmers and ranchers….Delegates also re-elected Kenny Watkins of San Joaquin
County as first vice president. He raises beef cattle, walnuts and hay in the
Linden area. Jamie Johansson, an olive grower near Oroville, continues as
second vice president.
Editorial: Brown and Obama
must act on requests for Valley water [Fresno Bee]
…In
the face of likely catastrophe, Gov. Jerry Brown and President Barack Obama
should act on the requests of California lawmakers — both in Sacramento and
Washington, D.C. — and declare a state of emergency. What would such a
declaration accomplish? It would permit relaxation of some state statutes and
regulations that are blocking farmers from obtaining water.…Presidential
recognition of the drought also would expedite water transfers and provide
flexibility in regulatory decision-making, as well as provide assistance with
water-saving infrastructure improvements….The time for Brown and Obama to act
is now. Valley farmers need water options other than drilling deeper and
gambling on a March Miracle.
Ag
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