2009 Annual Meeting Report - Animal and Plant Industries Committee

Animal and Plant Industries Policy Committee

2009 Annual Meeting

Montgomery, Alabama

Summary of Committee Action:

 Auburn Diagnostic Laboratory: Dr. Fred Hoerr, spoke about the Auburn University Diagnostic Lab. The lab’s purpose is to determine cause of sickness or death in animals, conduct disease surveillance and all testing required for regulatory programs. He reported that the greatest challenges facing the lab are the rising demand for services, the need to ensure the continuing education of his employees and the increasingly limited resources to meet costs. 

 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: Cindy Smith, APHIS Administrator, briefed the members on the Agency’s most recent animal and plant health activities. She focused on two major factors that are influencing the direction of APHIS and USDA in 2009 and beyond. First, the Administration change in Washington has prompted a fresh evaluation of APHIS policies and second, the challenge of operating in the existing economic environment. In reevaluating their programs the Department is learning to use existing resources more creatively, and finding new ways to partner with the States.

 The major topics on the Animal Health side include updated approach to managing the State-Federal Cooperative Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) Eradication Program, specifically managing TB-affected herds under a test-and-remove policy, where appropriate. Also mentioned was the recently revised concept paper addressing the challenges that remain with the persistent reservoir in the wild bison and elk in the Greater Yellowstone (GYA) area that is supported by affected States.

 On the plant side, APHIS is examining better ways to protect America’s forest resources from the Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, and other forest pests. Stopping their spread via firewood is a major focus. She mentioned the upcoming Forest Pest Forum on September 29 in Worcester, Massachusetts, which will bring together more than 35 State agriculture and natural resource officials to discuss more opportunities for collaboration with their APHIS counterparts.

Ms. Smith also updated the Committee on the issues surrounding the Agency’s determination of the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) as a quarantine pest, including the two petitions challenging APHIS’s classification. The Agency asked the National Academy of Sciences to determine if APHIS has met the scientific standard sufficient to demonstrate that LBAM is an exotic pest that has the potential to spread further within the United States and cause economic damage to agriculture and natural resources. The NAS found that APHIS did meet the scientific standard but did offer some recommendations where the economic and scientific evidence needed revision in order to strengthen the justification of APHIS’ conclusion. The Agency’s draft response is available on their Web site and is expected to be published in the Federal Register.

 Ms. Smith also discussed APHIS goal with regard to novel H1N1 flu is to protect human and animal health and prevent the loss of export markets and the need to have a clear understanding of H1N1 policy and deliver a unified message.

 Finally, the Administrator informed the Committee of APHIS’ new approach to funding NASDA in FY 2010 and their plans to contribute funds to support NASDA’s annual and midyear meetings as well as NASDA’s four regional meetings. In addition, there will be funds to sponsor two NASDA forums during FY 2010 and to pay for participants’ travel expenses. Finally, funding will be made available to assist NASDA members or their designees with travel expenses to attend APHIS-related meetings. 

 Vision 2015, Its Relationship to Existing Animal Diseases & National Tracebility

Dr. John Clifford discussed in detail the updated approach to managing the national eradication efforts, particularly the State-Federal Cooperative Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) Eradication Program, including a test-and-remove policy, to be used where appropriate. He also reiterated the comments of the Administrator with regard to NAIS effort, which has met with “limited success” and that the agency is re-evaluating its effort to achieve effective animal disease traceability capability. To this end, the Agency is working collaboratively with States and industry.

 Environmental Assessment for Citrus Psyllid & Greening: An Example of Pest Assessment & Regulation

Rebecca Bech, Deputy Administrator, Plant Protection & Quarantine discussed the worsening situation of the Citrus Psyllid which has been found in several states. The resulting disease has been found in Florida, South Carolina Louisiana and Georgia. Research is needed on the front end for identification and also for control and eradication. 

An interim rule restricting host material where ACD has been found and announcing quarantine for those places where the disease has been found is expected to be published shortly. There will be a comment period prior to finalization of the interim rule. She also mentioned the identification of ACP in Mexico and APHIS’s efforts to work with SAGARPA to develop a broad strategic plan on research and response to the situation,

 Irradiation Facility in Gulfport, MS  

Bill Hawks of AgWorks Solutions gave a presentation on the irradiation facility located in Gulfport MS and its potential to open markets to US fruits and vegetables.

 Membership Discussion – CBP’s Agriculture Quarantine Inspection efforts post the Farm Bill Debate 

Commissioner Gene Hugoson led the committee discussion about the continuing legal issues regarding communication of the CBP’s activities to the states. He requested a policy review with regard to the discussion of moving the CBP activities back to APHIS. He suggested that the desire is less to move the activities back to APHIS and more to resolve the legal issues that will allow clear communication between USDA and the States. The policy review would be presented at the February meeting.

 Policy Amendment before the Committee:

 No policy amendments were before the committee.

 Action items approved by the Committee.

 Action Item A: Animal Welfare – Horse Slaughter letter to Congress. A motion to recommend was passed with changes, in particular to replace the term “slaughter” with “processing”.

 Action Item C: Support of USDA publishing EIS on Roundup Ready Alfalfa

Amended with additions and recommended for approval.

 Action Item G: Invasive Species Block Grant – forwarded to the membership body pending changes to be made by Secretary Kawamura and Commissioner Bronson without recommendation.