APHIS names acting animal care deputy administrator

Bernadette Juarez has been named acting deputy administrator for the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Animal Care (AC) program. As acting AC Deputy, Jurarez will lead the program’s many employees in protecting and ensuring the welfare of millions of animals nationwide that are covered under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Horse Protection Act (HPA).
She will also oversee the collaborative work done at AC’s Center for Animal Welfare, building critical partnerships domestically and internationally, while seeking to improve regulatory practices and develop training and educational resources.
Juarez is replacing Dr. Chester Gipson, who retired on January 1, after more than 13 years in the position.
Prior to this position, Juarez served with APHIS’ Investigative and Enforcement Services (IES), first as Deputy Director for 4.5 years and then as Director for 2.5 years. As director, she was responsible for leading investigations of alleged AWA and HPA violations, as well as all other APHIS-administered statutes and regulations, and pursuing enforcement actions where warranted.  She also transformed the unit’s ability to complete investigation and enforcement actions nearly 50 percent faster by streamlining its business processes and focusing on the highest priority investigations.
Her experience enforcing the AWA and HPA began prior to her joining APHIS as a trial attorney in USDA’s Office of the General Counsel from 2002 to 2009. In over six years, she represented APHIS in numerous AWA and HPA administrative enforcement proceedings.
In 1999, Juarez completed her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of New Mexico. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from American University, Washington College of Law, in 2002.
“I am confident that Bernadette’s accomplished leadership and management experience, her commitment to results, her extensive knowledge and enforcement of both the AWA and HPA, and her passion for AC’s mission will prove invaluable to APHIS’ efforts to ensure more humane and healthy conditions for animals, while also working to end the cruel and inhumane practice of soring,” said Kevin Shea, administrator of APHIS.

USDA grant awarded to KSU Grain Science faculty

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service awarded a $1,993,000 grant to the Kansas State Grain Science faculty in partnership with the World Ini­tiative in Soybean for Human Health, other universities and local entities to help re-develop the poultry industry in Ghana through the USDA’s Food for Progress Program.
The application of the grant will help improve the feed manufacturing industry and help local farmers improve their post-harvest techniques to supply grain for the feed and poultry industry in Ghana. Charles Stark, associate professor in feed technology at Kansas State University; Cassandra Jones, assistant professor in feed technology at KSU; and Carlos Campabadal, outreach specialist in feed manufacturing and grain quality management at the IGP Institute will be the main KSU faculty working on this part of the project.
“This is a four-year project with one of its goals aimed at helping expand post-harvest activities of farmers to supply feed for the poultry industry in Ghana,” says Campabadal. “We are hoping in the long run that the U.S. exports soybeans as one of the main protein feed ingredient sources for poultry feed.”
The Food for Progress Program helps developing countries modernize and strengthen their ag­ricultural sectors. With the help of the American Soybean Association/WISHH, this program focuses on educating producers about the importance of using their own grain more efficiently, as well as provid­ing U.S. soybeans in the future for poultry feed production.
“We are aiming to teach those in Ghana how to produce better feed for poultry industry use, how to use grain more efficiently and how to store grain better,” Campabadal says.
WISHH is a national program that with the help of other organizations has enhanced different nations’ protein intake through market development, education and research. This project will help Ghanaian farmers improve the quality of their poultry products, increasing farm income and improving operational efficiencies.

USDA requests more proposals for avian flu vaccines

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in its efforts to prepare for the potential return of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), is issuing its second request for proposals (RFP) for vaccine manufacturers with the interest and capability to supply a variety of Eurasian H5 (EA H5) vaccines in sufficient numbers to add to the emergency stockpile.
APHIS has not approved the use of vaccine to respond to HPAI to date; however, the Agency is preparing to ensure that vaccine is available should the decision be made to use it. Any decision to use vaccination in a future HPAI outbreak would require careful consideration of the efficacy of the vaccine, any impacts of using HPAI vaccine in the field, and the potential trade impacts. In response to the first RFP issued in August, APHIS awarded contracts for doses of two vaccines for the EA H5 virus strain, which became part of the National Veterinary Stockpile.  Those approved contracts were awarded to Ceva and Harrisvaccines.
Vaccines will be carefully evaluated on a number of factors including their efficacy against EA H5 viruses, and products must meet all of APHIS’ safety, potency, and purity standards.  All eligible products to be considered must be either conditionally or fully licensed or permitted at the time of submission.  Vaccine manufacturers will be evaluated on their ability to produce such vaccines in a timely manner in adequate numbers to meet the needs of the response.
Although no decision has been made to use vaccine in the event of a future HPAI outbreak, APHIS will continue to issue RFPs for vaccine manufacturers on a quarterly basis through September 2016, to allow additional products to be developed and considered for the stockpile should an HPAI outbreak occur.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack is leading a delegation on visit to Havana

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is leading a delegation of U.S. Government officials traveling to Havana that began Nov. 11 and ends Nov. 14, marking the first official U.S. Department of Agriculture visit to Cuba since 1961. Secretary Vilsack will be accompanied by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon and U.S. Representatives Terri Sewell of Alabama, Suzan DelBene of Washington and Kurt Schrader of Oregon.
“This trip will be an opportunity to support the administration’s commitment to normalizing relations and empowering the Cuban people through bilateral agricultural engagement,” Vilsack said. “Food and agricultural goods are the dominant U.S. exports to Cuba and agriculture can serve as a bridge to foster cooperation, understanding and the exchange of ideas. Expanding markets for American agriculture has been a priority for this Administration, and relationships like the one we aim to build with Cuba are crucial to continuing the momentum we have seen over the past six years.”
The schedule includes meetings with Cuban government officials in agriculture, foreign affairs, and food purchasing. The delegation also plans to visit port facilities, markets and cooperatives.
To get an update on the trip from Secretary Vilsack, follow USDA Press on Twitter@USDAPress.

Agriculture Secretary announces USDA appointment

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced Lanon Baccam as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, overseeing the Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency, and the USDA's Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison. Baccam, a U.S. Army and Iowa National Guard veteran, takes the positions following the departure of Karis T. Gutter.
"Throughout his career in military and public service, Lanon has demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding opportunity in rural communities. Lanon brings to his new position strong management skills and a deep knowledge of USDA programs, policies and priorities. His leadership skills will be invaluable to USDA and rural communities across the nation," said Vilsack.
Baccam, a native of Mount Pleasant, IA, is a military veteran and spent eight years in the U.S. Army and Iowa National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2004-2005. During his time in the Army, Baccam held leadership roles as a unit movement officer and served as a combat engineer in charge of explosive demolitions. Baccam previously served as the director of scheduling and advance in the Office of the Secretary at USDA. Prior to his role as director, Baccam served as a special assistant in the Foreign Agricultural Service and as executive assistant to the Secretary. Prior to joining USDA, Baccam worked in the Iowa state government and for several state and national political campaigns. He is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, IA.
Agriculture Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse made the following statement on the announcement: "Lanon was my top choice for this position. He is a flexible, capable leader who will bring a strategic, innovative approach to implementing USDA's priorities and goals. I believe he will do an outstanding job on behalf of farmers, ranchers and rural communities as the Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services," said Scuse.

FDA urged to stop wasting eggs amid shortage

The 2015 outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the United States and resulting egg price increases have caused the food industry to closely examine a current policy that forces broiler chicken producers to destroy perfectly acceptable and safe shell eggs. The National Chicken Council, Grocery Manufacturers Association and the Association for Dressings and Sauces have sent a petition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), urging the agency to reverse or modify this policy.
"In light of the strain the HPAI outbreak is putting on the nation's egg supply, FDA should revisit the use of the surplus of affordable, quality eggs available in the United States for use by egg breakers and their customers, rather than seeking costly imports of foreign eggs," the groups wrote.
"Already faced with egg shortages, food producers and consumers might be hit even harder in their wallets as we head into the annual holiday baking season, unless FDA allows us to stop throwing away these eggs," noted Ashley Peterson, Ph.D., NCC senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs.
Background
When eggs are delivered from a breeding farm to a broiler hatchery, they are stored in a room kept at 65° F before they are placed in incubators to be hatched.  Research has shown this is the most ideal temperature to store these eggs prior to incubation – warmer temperatures would induce the incubation process too soon and colder temperatures comprise the viability of an eventual hatch.  As a general rule, eggs maintained below 60° F will not be hatched.
Due to fluctuating market conditions, hatcheries in some instances have more eggs on hand than what they want to set in incubators to hatch and become chicks.  These are known as "surplus" hatching eggs.  Prior to 2010 when FDA implemented new rules, broiler producers (those raising chickens for meat) would be able to sell these surplus eggs to egg processors, known as "breakers," to be pasteurized and used in egg products.
Egg products are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as "eggs that are removed from their shells for processing."  The processing of egg products includes breaking eggs, filtering, mixing, stabilizing, blending, pasteurizing, cooling, freezing or drying, and packaging. This is done at USDA-inspected plants.  Liquid, frozen, and dried egg products are widely used by food manufacturers and the foodservice industry and as ingredients in other foods, such as salad dressings, bread, cake mix, pasta, pancake mix, mayonnaise, ice cream, pie crusts, sauces, and many other everyday food products.
Because egg products are pasteurized, they are ensured a high level of food safety.
In 2010, however, FDA issued a Final Rule saying that all eggs intended to be sent to breaking facilities for eventual pasteurization must be kept at 45° F within 36 hours after being laid.  FDA never suggested these products are safer or explained what further health benefit is achieved from refrigeration prior to treatment.  NCC fought the rule in 2010 on related grounds.
"Thus, the rule is contradictory in requiring refrigeration of eggs slated for pasteurization, despite the fact that these eggs are destined to undergo treatment that will render them safe for human consumption," the groups noted in the petition.
Broiler hatcheries are unable to determine those eggs that are surplus prior to setting eggs for incubation and as noted above cannot reasonably refrigerate eggs at 45° F prior to setting. As a direct result, broiler producers have stopped selling surplus hatching eggs to egg processors and instead are forced to render or throw these eggs away, often at an additional cost.  NCC estimates that the Final Rule resulted in the industry disposing of roughly 356 million eggs last year.

Current egg supply situation

More than 33 million chickens have been culled since HPAI was first detected in December 2014, the overwhelming majority of them in the egg-laying industry.  The nationwide layer hen population has consequently decreased by more than 25 percent, and it will take many months before these flocks can be repopulated.
Industry experts estimate that the price of a dozen breaker eggs rose dramatically from $.63 in late April to $2.15 in early June – an increase of 241 percent.  
These price spikes and supply disruptions are putting tremendous strain on the shell and egg products industries, and the impact has already begun to trickle down and impose hardships on restaurants, food manufacturers and consumers.  Companies reliant upon breaker eggs have begun stockpiling supplies before prices escalate further, and the U.S is currently importing pasteurized eggs from the Netherlands and Canada to meet demands.
"Basically what is happening is that food manufacturers and consumers are facing higher costs, we're importing costly eggs from other countries, and we're throwing away more than 350 million eggs right here on our doorstep," Peterson said.  "That's about 1.7 billion grams of protein, or a roughly year's supply of protein for about 94,000 people."

Petition seeks changes to refrigeration requirement

"By lifting or modifying the 36-hour refrigeration requirement for broiler hatcheries, FDA can increase the supply of breaker eggs, which will put downward pressure on prices and provide industries reliant upon breaker eggs with the relief they so desperately need," the petition requests.
"Broiler producers thus have the potential to provide hundreds of millions of eggs to egg breakers during this period where eggs are in short supply due to the avian flu outbreak."

Deputy Secretary of USDA to lead Africa trade mission

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden will lead a trade mission to Accra, Ghana, Nov. 17-20, to expand export opportunities for U.S. agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa.
"Two years ago, I led a mission to southern Africa to launch USDA's Sub-Saharan Africa Trade Initiative, which aims to expand U.S. agricultural and commercial ties in the region," Harden said. "I am excited to return to Africa with a new group of U.S. agricultural leaders to further explore market opportunities, especially for small, minority and women-owned businesses."
The delegation will meet with potential customers from more than a dozen countries across sub-Saharan Africa, forging relationships and learning about the market conditions and business environment in the region. This first-hand intelligence will help them develop strategies to start or expand sales to these key markets.
Participants will include representatives from companies representing a wide array of U.S. food and agricultural products, as well as leaders from state departments of agriculture and U.S. agricultural organizations.
With a strong economic outlook, a growing middle class, and surging demand for consumer-oriented foods, sub-Saharan Africa is one of the fastest-growing regions for U.S. agricultural exports. Over the past decade, U.S. agricultural exports to the region have grown by more than 50 percent, totaling $2.3 billion in 2014. Exports of consumer-oriented products have grown by nearly 90 percent in just five years, from $480 million in 2010 to a record $909 million in 2014.

APHIS issues fall avian flu preparedness, response plan

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a report on planning and preparations for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in advance of a potential recurrence of the disease when birds migrate south this fall.

The HPAI outbreak that devastated poultry producers during the winter and spring of 2015 was the worst animal disease in U.S. history. It affected more than 48.8 million birds and 21 states before the final detection on June 17, according to APHIS. The scope of this outbreak presented many challenges to federal, state and industry resources and clearly identified areas where greater coordination, preparation and communication were needed.  While response operations continue in the Midwest, APHIS and its partners have used the time since the last positive detection to plan for the return of the disease, using a hypothetical worst case scenario in an effort to prepare.

APHIS’ planning activities incorporated its experience from this year’s response effort, our epidemiologic studies, and extensive feedback and input gathered from state partners, industry, academia and other stakeholders. The Fall 2015 HPAI Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan captures the results of this planning effort, organizing information on preparatory activities, policy decisions and updated strategy documents into four key areas:

• preventing or reducing future outbreaks;
• enhancing preparedness;
• improving and streamlining response capabilities; and,
• preparing for the potential use of AI vaccines.

The report includes an updated biosecurity self-assessment for the poultry industry, streamlined and updated procedures for providing indemnity and other payments, a draft vaccine use strategy and many other items of interest to the Agency’s stakeholders. A copy of the Fall 2015 HPAI Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan and supporting documents are available on the APHIS website.
APHIS stated it is keenly aware of the significant impact the spring outbreak has had on all parties — poultry producers, allied industries, federal and state governments, and the American consumer. As the beginning of the fall season approaches, APHIS is confident that its surveillance programs in commercial and wild birds will enable it to detect the disease early. APHIS’ advanced planning and the preparations undertaken by the states and the poultry industry will help quickly contain the disease. If HPAI should reappear in the coming months, APHIS is ready to respond and committed to helping those affected by the disease.

USDA’s Almanza offers regulatory updates at conferences

Alfred Almanza, the USDA’s deputy under secretary for food safety, gave updates on the new poultry slaughter standards and other food safety issues at two important conferences held recently.
Almanza spoke to members of the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) and the Southwest Meat Association (SMA). IAFP hosts the leading food safety conference worldwide, while SMA is an organization that provides information and assistance to packer and processor members across the United States.
During his speech to SMA on July 24, DUS Almanza spoke about the new Food Safety Assessment (FSA) methodology, modernization, the development of the next FSIS Strategic Plan, and upcoming policy developments. About two weeks ago, FSIS instituted a dramatically improved, streamlined FSA methodology. While the old approach resulted in evaluation, investigations, and analysis officers spending an average of almost 38 days in an establishment, the new approach will require 5-7 days in plant.
Almanza’s segment on modernization touched on poultry slaughter and the possibility of expanding hog slaughter modernization based on the results of the HIMP (Evaluation of HACCP Inspection Models Project) pilot program. While there is currently no HIMP-style project for beef, Almanza noted that FSIS is looking at ways of modernizing beef slaughter based on science and data. He also cited upcoming policy developments included the final guidance document for HACCP validation that was issued in May, the final rule for grinding logs to be issued this year, and the proposed rule for Non-ambulatory Disabled Veal Calves that was issued in May.
At IAFP on July 28, Almanza spoke about modernization and touched upon the new poultry standards. He described the Mechanically Tenderized Beef Rule, which becomes effective in May 2016, and he also elaborated on FSIS’ newly issued best practices to control Listeria at retail.
During IAFP, Almanza shared the stage with FDA’s Mike Taylor and spoke about collaboration between FSIS and other agencies, such as the Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration among CDC, FDA and FSIS. Almanza provided a synopsis of FSIS’ recent success with social media and consumer education, such as the new “FoodKeeper App” available for smartphones, which has had over 70,000 downloads since April 2015.

USDA moves closer to approval of avian flu vaccine

A vaccine that tested 100 percent effective in treating chickens for avian influenza has been developed, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. 
A vaccine has been developed that tested 100 percent effective in protecting chickens from H5N2 avian influenza, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told the House Agriculture Committee during a hearing on July 22. Testing is also being conducted on its effectiveness for vaccinating turkeys from the virus, Vilsack said.
Should the avian influenza vaccine prove effective with turkeys, the USDA would like to get it licensed for widespread production and will seek funding from the federal Office of Management and Budget to create a nationwide supply of the vaccine, according to a WANE report.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to get a lot of folks working collaboratively together and we stockpile enough so that if this does hit and hits us hard we’re in a position to respond quickly,” Vilsack said.
Vilsack’s comments follow an announcement made on June 3 from the USDA, stating that it was not ready to approve the use of avian influenza vaccines as the efficacy of vaccine options available at the time was not sufficient. However, the agency did state that it would continue to work with researchers and vaccine companies as they continue to develop other vaccine options.
According to industry sources, some poultry producers, primarily in the egg and turkey industries, have been asking for approval from the USDA to use avian influenza vaccines as part of their eradication efforts.
However, others do not favor a vaccination program because of possible implications on trade.
Jim Sumner, president of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC), told the Associated Press that many countries have a strict policy of refusing to accept meat from countries where a vaccine is used because it can be difficult to discern through testing whether birds were infected with an active virus or were vaccinated.

USDA egg production forecast lowered, price forecast up

The USDA is lowering its forecast for egg production in both 2015 and 2016. The agency released its most recent projections in its June World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, issued on June 10
In the WASDE report, USDA noted that the estimated numbers of eggs to be produced are being lowered in response to the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza that has heavily impacted the U.S. layer flock. The 2016 projections reflect a slower than earlier expected speed at which the U.S. flock can be rebuilt.
The agency, in its June report, forecast that in 2015, 7,994 million dozen eggs will be produced, a drop  from the estimates released in May, which called for 8,323 million dozen eggs.
U.S. egg production in 2016 in the June WASDE report called for 8,141 million dozen eggs to be produced, down from the 8,525 million dozen forecast made in the May WASDE report.
The revised estimates for 2015 and 2016 are both down from the 8,335 million dozen eggs produced in the U.S. in 2014.


Egg price estimates for 2015, 2016 raised
The lower estimates for egg production have prompted the USDA to change its estimates for egg prices in 2015 and 2016.
The price forecast for 2015 has been raised to $1.60 to $1.66 per dozen, up $0.30 from the May WASDE estimates.
Prices should moderate in 2016, although the price forecast has been raised from estimates released in May. The new projections call for the average price of eggs in 2016 to be $1.36 to $1.47 per dozen, an increase of 8 cents.
The average price of a dozen eggs in 2014 was $1.42, according to the USDA.

2015 US pork production estimates raised by USDA

The USDA has raised its forecast for U.S. pork production in 2015, the agency revealed in its World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, released on May 12
The federal agency’s May forecast calls for 24.4 billion pounds of pork to be produced during 2015, up from the April forecast that called for 24.24 billion pounds of pork.
Both estimates topped the U.S. pork production totals for 2014, which reached 22.84 billion pounds.
“Pork production is forecast higher as the pace of slaughter in the second quarter remains heavy and supplies of slaughter hogs in the second part of the year are expected to remain ample,” USDA stated in the WASDE report.


Pork production in 2016
USDA offered a look into pork production in 2016, calling for even more pounds of pork to be produced. In its May WASDE report, the agency projected that U.S. pork production would reach 24.7 billion pounds. No estimates for 2016 pork production were offered in the April WASDE report.
“Pork production is expected to increase as pig crops expand, reflecting moderate increases in farrowings during late 2015 and early 2016 and a continued recovery in growth in pigs per litter,” the agency stated.

USDA releases year’s first crop production estimates

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  freeimages.com

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s first estimates for crop production this year has been released.

  From WATTAgNet:
  The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) first estimates for crop production this year has been released.
  In the USDA’s May World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate report, it said that, overall, wheat production would be higher and corn and soybeans would be lower this season.
  Production
  

  • Wheat: Projected at 2,087 million bushels, up 3 percent
  • Corn: Projected at 13.6 billion bushels, down 586 million
  • Soybeans: Projected at 3,850 million bushels, down 119 million

  U.S. corn farmers harvested a record 14.2 billion bushels of corn in 2014, with a record national average yield of 171 bushels per acre.
  Demand in Asia
  In March, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said Asia’s growing middle class, and its changing tastes and diets, is increasing demand for grains, especially wheat, marking a boon for Australia and the United States. By 2030, two-thirds of the global middle class, or 3.3 billion people, will be living in Asia, with China accounting for the largest share from just 1.8 billion now.
  The U.S. Agricultural Trade Office in Beijing said it expects China to continue to increase its imports of soybeans though the 2015-16 marketing year, according to the Peoples Republic of China Oilseeds and Products Annual. The forecast for Chinese imports of soybeans is 77.5 million tons, up 4.5 million tons from the forecast for the current year.

USDA opens its farmers' market for 20th season

USDA photo by Tom Witham
USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack identified strengthening local food systems, including farmers' markets, as one of the four pillars of the USDA's commitment to rural economic development. 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) opened its farmers' market for the 20th season on May 4, 2015, according to a USDA press release. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has identified strengthening local food systems, including farmers' markets, as one of the four pillars of the USDA's commitment to rural economic development. 
"For the past two decades, the USDA farmers' market has shown us how farmers' markets bring urban and rural communities together and expand access to locally-grown fruit and vegetables," said Secretary Vilsack. "Like thousands of markets around the country, the USDA farmers' market benefits local farmers and ranchers, small businesses, and consumers by creating economic opportunities and offering healthy, wholesome food."
The USDA farmers' market, which is managed by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), plays an important role in creating economic opportunities for local farmers and small businesses in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding Chesapeake Bay region. The market is located just off the National Mall at 12th Street and Independence Ave. S.W. and will be open on Fridays through October 30, 2015. For the first time, the USDA will also host a night market from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the third Friday of the month beginning Friday, May 15, 2015, featuring prepared food and entertainment.
"The USDA farmers' market fits perfectly with our mission of facilitating marketing, and it's wonderful to see how the growth of the USDA Farmers' Market is creating so many local economic opportunities and jobs," said AMS Administrator Alonzo.
AMS also supports farmers' markets around the country through grants, technical assistance and applied research. This year, AMS is making available more than $90 million in grant funding to support local food efforts through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Farmers' Market and Local Food Promotion Program. The USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF2) initiative coordinates USDA's local food efforts. In the past two years alone, USDA has made over 500 investments in food hubs, local processing facilities, and distribution networks.

APHIS seeks animal health advisory committee nominees

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking nominations for membership for the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health. The members would serve for two-year terms.
The committee will advise U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on actions necessary to prevent, conduct surveillance or monitor and control or eradicate animal diseases of national importance. In doing so, the committee will consider the implications of public health, conservation of natural resources and the stability of livestock economies.
The USDA is seeking nominations from interested organizations and individuals. The notice of solicitation for membership was published in the Federal Register on December 3.
All nominations or applications received on or before January 20, 2015 will be considered. The nomination packages should include a resume with a cover letter addressed to Thomas Vilsack, Secretary, U. S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250, Attn: Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health. Individuals nominated (either by self or by others) must also complete the attached application (Form AD-755). Nomination packages and completed AD-755 applications may be sent to: Mrs. R.J. Cabrera, Designated Federal Official, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 35, 4A-03-43, Riverdale, MD  20737-1231;+1.301.851.3478.

USDA to award $5.6 million in grants to support biofuel production

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on December 2 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making $5.6 million in grants to 220 producers across the nation to support the production of advanced biofuels, and is awarding more than $4 million in additional grants that will advance the bioeconomy and reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil.
"Producing advanced biofuel is a major component of the drive to take control of America's energy future by developing domestic, renewable energy sources," Vilsack said. "These resources represent the Obama administration's commitment to support an 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy that seeks to build a robust bio-based economy. Investments in biofuels will also help create jobs and further diversify the economy in our rural communities."
The funding for producers is being provided through USDA's Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, which was established in the 2008 Farm Bill. Under this program, payments are made to eligible producers based on the amount of advanced biofuel produced from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch. Examples of eligible feedstocks include crop residue; animal, food and yard waste; vegetable oil; and animal fat.
Through the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, USDA supports the research, investment and infrastructure necessary to build a strong biofuel industry that creates jobs and broadens the range of feedstocks used to produce renewable fuel. USDA has made more than $280 million in payments to more than 350 producers (more than 3,100 total payments) in 47 states and territories since the program's inception. These payments have supported the production of more than 5.8 billion gallons of advanced biofuel and the equivalent of more than 58 billion kilowatt hours of electric energy.

Almanza named USDA deputy under secretary for food safety

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has promoted Alfred V. Almanza to the position of deputy under secretary for food safety. This is a newly-created position in the Office of Food Safety, where Brian Ronholm will also remain on board as deputy under secretary for food safety.
Almanza is well known as a USDA official, having served as administrator of USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) since 2007. In that position, he led FSIS and its more than 9,500 employees in their mission of protecting public health through food safety and food defense. During his time with FSIS, Almanza has worked diligently to foster productive relationships with the National Joint Council of Food Inspection Locals and other public health partners. He has advocated and led agency efforts to improve communication and collaboration with all food safety stakeholders, from more effective coordination with domestic and international food safety regulators to targeted consumer and industry outreach. He is credited with making several critical changes to agency policy to better ensure mission success and effective use of agency resources. For example, he promoted and implemented a national management control system that strengthened the agency's ability to monitor, detect and respond to threats to public health, dramatically improving management oversight of FSIS inspection and enforcement activity
Almanza began his FSIS career in 1978 as a food inspector in a small processing plant in Dalhart, Texas. Since that time, he held a number of positions with the agency, including as a district manager from 2004-2007.

USDA poultry lab upgrade unlikely in 2014

A $1.55 million upgrade to the USDA’s Southeast Poultry Disease Research Laboratory in Athens, Georgia, that was part of the Obama administration’s budget for 2014 appears unlikely to happen soon as a result of congressional gridlock, according to sources.
In April 2013, federal officials proposed a budget that included updating the laboratory, which had facilities built on 1964 and 1976. A review done of agriculture research service facilities stated that the outdated facility’s limitations now prevent critical, cutting-edge research from being conducted, and that construction of a new facility would allow USDA scientists to more adequately address emerging or exotic poultry diseases that threaten not only the nation’s poultry industry, but also the health of American consumers.
The poultry lab upgrade project is in the House agriculture appropriations bill, but not in the Senate’s version. According to a report from the Atlanta Journal Constitution, neither the House nor the Senate bill has passed its respective chamber, and congressional leaders plan to extend spending at the same levels for at least a few months, which would likely doom the project in 2014.
The laboratory project was included in Obama’s $56 billion “Opportunity, Growth and Security Initiative,” which would be paid for in part by tax increases that are unlikely to be passed, so the projects have been largely ignored, analysts say.
One of the poultry lab project’s biggest supporters, Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Georgia, is a high ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, but Kingston gave up his House seat to pursue a bid for a U.S. Senate seat. That election attempt was unsuccessful.

USDA sued over new poultry inspection rule

Food & Water Watch has filed a federal lawsuit to stop the federal government from implementing the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS) rules. The group alleges the new poultry inspection rules would turn over key food safety inspection functions to poultry companies and would limit oversight by USDA inspectors.
The new rule is slated to become effective October 20. It requires poultry companies to take measures to prevent Salmonella and Campylobacter contamination, rather than addressing contamination after it occurs. It also requires for the first time that all poultry facilities perform their own microbiological testing at two points in their production process to show they are controlling Salmonella and Campylobacter. These requirements are in addition to testing from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). FSIS estimates that the new rule, when enforced, will prevent up to 5,000 foodborne illnesses each year.
However, Food & Water Watch has filed the suit because it believes the new poultry inspection rule will not protect the consumers.
“These rules essentially privatize poultry inspection, and pave the way for others in the meat industry to police themselves,” said Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch. “The USDA’s decision to embrace the scheme — an initiative lobbied for by the meat industry for more than a decade — flies in the face of the agency’s mandate to protect consumers. What’s more, we believe it’s illegal.”
In its lawsuit, Food & Water Watch claims the new inspection system violates the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA), a law passed in 1957 that gives USDA the authority to protect consumer health and welfare by assuring that poultry products are wholesome, not adulterated, and properly marked, labeled and packaged. The organization alleges that NPIS violates a number of statutory requirements, including the PPIA’s prescription that federal government inspectors, and not poultry slaughter establishment staff, are responsible for condemning adulterated young chicken and turkey carcasses. The suit states that the NPIS rules also violate the PPIA’s requirement that federal inspectors supervise slaughter establishment reprocessing, which is done to avoid the condemnation of adulterated birds.
The suit is being brought by Food & Water Watch, on behalf of itself and its members, and includes two other individual plaintiffs: Margaret Sowerwine and Jane Foran. Defendants include U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and other officials from USDA and FSIS.

USDA releases final version of poultry inspection rule

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on July 31 released its final rule on the inspection system for poultry products, known as the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS). The rule, which will soon be published in the Federal Register, leaves the current regulations for line speeds unchanged and calls for poultry companies to meet new requirements to control Salmonella and Campylobacter.
The proposal for modernizing the poultry inspection system was first published on January 27, 2012, and FSIS received feedback from the public, as well as from interagency partners such as the Department of Labor. Specifically, USDA received numerous comments on the proposed rule related to line speeds' impact on worker safety, and it has partnered with the federal agencies responsible for worker safety to address those concerns.
Maximum line speeds remain capped at 140 birds per minute
In response to public comment, the maximum line speeds for plants that newly adopt the NPIS have remained capped at 140 birds per minute, consistent with the maximum speed under existing inspection programs. Additionally, all companies operating under the NPIS must maintain a program to encourage the early reporting of work-related injuries and illnesses, and FSIS employees will receive new instructions on how to report workplace hazards that may affect plant workers, including access to a confidential 1-800 number to report concerns directly to OSHA.
A proposal to increase line speeds had been strongly opposed by civil rights groups, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and as many as 68 members of Congress.
New requirements to prevent Salmonella and Campylobacter contamination
The agency calls the NPIS, a critical step forward in making chicken and turkey products safer for Americans to eat. Poultry companies will have to meet new requirements to control Salmonella and Campylobacter, and estimates that up to 5,000 foodborne illnesses will be prevented each year as a result of the NPIS, which positions food safety inspectors throughout poultry facilities in a smarter way.
According to FSIS, it will now require that all poultry companies take measures to prevent Salmonella and Campylobacter contamination, rather than addressing contamination after it occurs. Also for the first time ever, all poultry facilities will be required to perform their own microbiological testing at two points in their production process to show that they are controlling Salmonella and Campylobacter. These requirements are in addition to FSIS' own testing, which the agency will continue to perform.
"The United States has been relying on a poultry inspection model that dates back to 1957, while rates of foodborne illness due to Salmonella and Campylobacter remain stubbornly high. The system we are announcing today imposes stricter requirements on the poultry industry and places our trained inspectors where they can better ensure food is being processed safely. These improvements make use of sound science to modernize food safety procedures and prevent thousands of illnesses each year," U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a news release.
Optional NPIS
FSIS is also introducing the optional NPIS, in which poultry companies must sort their own product for quality defects before presenting it to FSIS inspectors. This system allows for FSIS inspectors to focus less on routine quality assurance tasks that have little relationship to preventing pathogens like Salmonella and instead focus more on strategies that are proven to strengthen food safety. More inspectors will now be available to more frequently remove birds from the evisceration line for close food safety examinations, take samples for testing, check plant sanitation, verify compliance with food safety plans, observe live birds for signs of disease or mistreatment, and ensuring plants are meeting all applicable regulations.
Poultry industry groups respond to new rule
Joel Brandenberger, president of the National Turkey Federation, applauded the USDA’s action on the inspections rule.
“USDA is to be commended for standing up for food safety in the face of significant pressure,” said Brandenberger. “Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection provides additional tools to plants and federal inspectors to verify that plant food-safety programs are protecting against foodborne illness. By allowing plant employees to conduct some preliminary sorting duties, federal inspectors will be freed to further verify testing on the spot, examine sanitation standards and enforcing safeguards throughout a processing plant.”
However, Mike Brown, president of the National Chicken Council, accepted the news with mixed views.
"I applaud Secretary Vilsack and the food safety professionals at the Food Safety and Inspection Service for moving forward with this rule to modernize our poultry inspection system in order to improve food safety  –  the top priority for our industry," said Brown. "We look forward to reviewing the contents of the final rule and working with the department and our members on proper implementation should our members choose to opt in to the new, voluntary system.”
"Regarding line speeds: It is extremely unfortunate and disappointing that politics have trumped sound science, 15 years of food and worker safety data and a successful pilot program with plants operating at 175 birds per minute.  The rule also goes against global precedent, in which the limiting factors for line speeds are the ability to meet food safety standards, keeping workers safe, and the capability of the equipment to run effectively – not government regulations.  Broiler plants in Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Belgium and Germany, among others, all operate at line speeds of 200 or more birds per minute."