On October 30, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration “announced the Plant and Animal Biotechnology Innovation Action Plan to outline the key priorities the agency will pursue to support
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animal agriculture
USDA amends the national list of allowed and prohibited substances for livestock in the National Organic Program.
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
The National Organic Program (NOP) is the regulatory program administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Services agency that implements the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, subsequently amended and its related …
Continue Reading USDA amends the national list of allowed and prohibited substances for livestock in the National Organic Program.
Animal Health Threatened Here and Abroad
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
Typically, animal diseases have a seasonal presence. For example, avian influenza, like other influenza viruses prefer cold damp conditions. On the other hand, viruses transmitted by mosquitoes (arboviruses), including Equine…
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New Jersey bill would put farmers raising livestock humanely at risk of animal cruelty violations
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
Assemblyman Daniel R. Benson introduced a bill (A4298) that would amend “animal cruelty offenses and penalties concerning animal abandonment and failure to report injuring certain animals with a motor…
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Impact of the USDA-APHIS Final Rule, “Thresholds for De Minimis Activity and Exemptions From Licensing Under the Animal Welfare Act”-PART TWO.
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
The impact of USDA’s newly adopted final rule to certain exhibitors of farm animals remains unclear.
A positive result of the rule is the definition of “domesticated farm-type animals.” …
Continue Reading Impact of the USDA-APHIS Final Rule, “Thresholds for De Minimis Activity and Exemptions From Licensing Under the Animal Welfare Act”-PART TWO.
Animal Agriculture Alliance Celebrates Another Successful Summit
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
It looks like Animal Agriculture Alliance had another stellar stakeholder summit held on May 3-4 in Arlington, Va.
As reported on its website
The future of food, consumer choice, sustainability
…
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Improvements to housing of farm animals must be science-based, sustainable, and performed in a cost-effective manner
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
On October 12, 2017 Nestlé USA announced that by 2024 they would
“strive to source all of the broiler chickens we use as ingredients for our U.S. food portfolio from…
Continue Reading Improvements to housing of farm animals must be science-based, sustainable, and performed in a cost-effective manner
Animal care standards discussed at the National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s Annual Meeting
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
I recently reconnected with colleagues at the annual meeting of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture in Columbus, Ohio on April 6, 2017 where a special session was held, titled…
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Cage Free May Not Improve Hen Welfare
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
As recently reported by Stephanie Strom in the NY Times (Business Section, Oct. 21, 2016), hens housed in aviaries have been observed to suffer higher morbidity and mortality rates, compared …
Continue Reading Cage Free May Not Improve Hen Welfare
FDA’s Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Set to Take Effect in January 2017
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
In preparation for the VFD final rule, which outlines the revised process for authorizing use of VFD drugs (animal drugs intended for use in or on animal feed and…
Continue Reading FDA’s Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Set to Take Effect in January 2017