By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Though the Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH) recently hosted a public hearing on a rule change affecting the cervid program, the hottest topics for debate revolved more closely around bovine tuberculosis (TB) and the milk labeling debacle.
“Between labeling and TB, I probably talk to Dr. (Bret) Marsh (Indiana state veterinarian) about one or both of these issues absolutely every day,” said Michael Kopp, director of BOAH’s avian health division.
In fact, during a quarterly meeting on April 4 in Indianapolis, Marsh invited Michigan State Veterinarian Steven Halstead to join the board via Internet video feed to discuss Michigan’s situation in regard to the ongoing battle to eradicate TB.
“Recently, three deer killed outside the TB Zone in Michigan – two in Iosco County and one in Shiawassee County – that were suspected of having TB all have been confirmed positive for the disease,” lamented Halstead. “We’re using the same measures we always have used to eradicate TB.
“We have five teams set up, three with the USDA and two with the Michigan Department of Agriculture, devoted strictly to getting this resolved. Communication is a huge component.”
Halstead pointed out the infected deer found outside the TB Zone could cause a change in the transmission rate. He said the state has seen a recent spike in deer density in the heart of the TB Zone going up in both 2005 and 2006.
“As the population goes up, there are more deer for an infected deer to come into contact with,” he added.
Michigan’s TB zone – where most bovine TB cases are found in deer and cattle – includes Alcona, Alpena, Oscoda and Montmorency counties. Baiting and feeding restrictions are enforced in the TB-hot counties, and in three additional adjacent areas, including Crawford, Otsego and Presque Isle counties, according to Michigan Department of Natural Resources reports.
Last year, Michigan officials completed statewide testing of more than 8,000 deer and found 27 positive. Only three positives were reported from outside the four-county TB zone.
Halstead said “there are several changes we need to make; placing accountability is a big priority, we want to shift responsibility back to the landowners to get information out there.”
He also identified two key target areas of research for Michigan’s TB program, including looking at other areas in the state and factors that contribute to TB spreading to other deer and cattle.
According to BOAH, Indiana has been a TB-free state since November 1984. The biggest concern for the Indiana group listening closely to Halstead’s presentation was that Indiana officials must continue to place tight restrictions on livestock entering the state from TB-positive states such as Michigan and Minnesota.
“It’s necessary for the state veterinarian to investigate our TB rules and regulations and provide an update on where we’re at and where we need to be in regards to TB,” said BOAH legislative liaison Gary Haynes, following of string of comments from board members.
Another hot topic stirring heated conversation among board members was the milk labeling regulation, asking dairy producers to discontinue the use of rBST, a naturally-occurring hormone used to stimulate milk production.
“This is an injustice to dairy producers across the country,” said Leon Thacker, director of the Purdue University Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in West Lafayette, Ind., in response to a push from major dairy cooperatives to stop the use of rBST. “This puts an unjust doubt in the minds of consumers; there is not a difference in this milk, but the label makes consumers think there’s something wrong with it. It’s ridiculous.”
Although recent Indiana legislation threatened to affect milk labeling language, Haynes assured the group that “no language passed in the General Assembly.” While considering drafting a resolution or statement of their own to take a stand on the milk labeling controversy, the board ended up leaving the issue on the table.
“The board regulates several facets of the dairy industry, so to make a positive resolution on one side or another (producer versus processor), it may be harmful to another side that is regulated by BOAH,” pointed out Haynes.
“BOAH’s perspective on the issue is that we will continue to look at this, although there no specific paneling on our end.”
Cervid health change Following the public hearing, where no major comments were received, the board considered the final adoption of the rule change affecting the cervid health program, dubbed LSA #07-824. With a majority in favor, new changes to the program will add two new categories for deer, elk, moose and other cervids.
The new categories include: a “certified” program, which is a voluntary monitoring option, and “monitored,” which is required for all susceptible species and is intended for more recreational hobby herds. Other updates to the cervid health program amend requirements for brucellosis and tuberculosis testing of cervids prior to moving across state lines, and delete requirements for moving cervid semen and embryos into the state.
Also, prior to adjournment of the meeting, Acting Chairman Bruce McDavitt announced the board was required to elect new officers. By a majority vote, McDavitt was reelected chairman and John Baker was reelected vice chairman. With eight years of service on the board, Merrill Kelsay, a dairy producer from Johnson County, resigned his post and assisted in electing Clark Sennett, a beef producer from Montgomery County, as the new hearing officer.
For more information, visit the BOAH website at www.in.gov/boah |
