animalagriculture.org

Environmental Issues Committee
April 7, 2004

Committee was called to order by David Miller, vice chair.  The agenda item was a presentation by Mark Spire, Kansas State University entitled, “An Overview of Carcass Disposal Options and Related Issues.”  A 700-page report (USDA-APHIS Cooperative Agreement Project) has been prepared that is a synthesis research of the state of the carcass disposal systems and technologies.  The objectives of the study are: 1) characterize, summarize, and integrate available information concerning existing disposal technologies; 2) frame the cross-cutting logistical, social and economic considerations of general large-scale carcass disposal; and, 3) identify knowledge gaps that warrant research or educational effort.  After the presentation, there was questions and answers about carcass disposal.

It was suggested that NIAA might consider taking the 700 page report and creating appropriate information modules on carcass disposal for dissemination to members and producers.

The second agenda item was an open discussion of topics that the Environmental Issues Committee might take up at future meetings.  Topics identified include:

1)Air Quality issues related to animal production and the potential impacts of air emissions (compounds and odor) that may have human health impacts

2)The potential for viral replication within CAFO settings, especially those that might have the potential for human health impacts such as influenza.

3)CAFO siting issues.

4)DNA testing of water to enable pollution monitoring and source verification.

5)Movement of chemicals from cattle footbaths to pastures

6)The potential for dioxin in animal feeds and animal products

7)Euthanasia – The issue of pentabarbitol residues showing up in meat and bone meal due to more sensitive tests now being available.

It was suggested that possible speakers at future meetings might include:

   · Dr. Robert Webster, St. Jude Childrens Hospital, Memphis, TN on the potential for CAFOs to be
     involved in the mutation and replication of influenza virus.

   · Kelly Dunham, University of Iowa Med School on human health studies on CAFO workers

   · The pollution monitoring and DNA testing project going on in Waco, TX.

Committee Attendees:

David Miller, Iowa Farm Bureau

Jon Johnson, Texas Farm Bureau

John Ragan, USDA,FSIS, Animal Production-Food Safety

J. Scott Esplin, USDA, APHIS, VS

Jim Kunkle, IL Dept of Agriculture

Wayne Peugh, National Pork Board

Mark Remick, Michigan Dept of Ag

Rafael Semeniz, Elanco

Randy Berrier, Colorado Serum Company

Spencer Neale, Virginia Farm Bureau

Ronald A Harris, USDA

Lyle Vogel, AVMA

Maurice Shelton, Texas A&M, Retired Vet

John McGill, Nebraska Farm Bureau

Gavin Meerdink, Univ of Illinois

Lanny Pace, Mississippi State University

Tom Cook, National Renders Association

Phyllis Menden, NADEFA

Kevin Kirk, Michigan Dept of Ag