An Update on Avian Flu Prevention in U.S.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its 180-day report on avian influenza (AI) efforts and the use of $91 million appropriated in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriation to Address Pandemic Influenza six months ago.

Read the full report (PDF).

The report details USDA's efforts both internationally and domestically to combat highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI H5N1).

Highlights from the report:

• USDA is working closely with international organizations to assist affected regions with disease prevention, management and eradication activities.
• USDA continues to strengthen safeguards already in place to protect against the introduction of HPAI H5N1 into the United States. For example, USDA maintains trade restrictions on the importation of poultry and poultry products from regions currently affected by H5N1 HPAI in commercial or traditionally raised flocks.
• USDA and state animal health officials are working cooperatively with the poultry industry to conduct surveillance at breeding flocks, slaughter plants, live-bird markets, livestock auctions and poultry dealers.
• USDA is conducting AI surveillance in wild migratory birds in Alaska and ten other states. Initial AI screening tests are performed by one of more than 45 USDA approved laboratories in the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN).

Read the full report (PDF).

What's Up with Farming Subsidies (today's Washington Post article)?

July 3, 2006 - An article in today's Washington Post highlights some of the flaws in today's farming subsidy programs.

Read the article.

This is a tough one, but there's definitely little debate that the legislation has too many loopholes. We all know that farmer's today are competing in a global marketplace. With dwindling farmland and the increased need for organic and American crops from the heartland, it's tough for most of today's farmers to compete successfully without federal assistance.

But on the other hand, this article highlights the gross extravagances that today's legislation provides. Most of the money goes to hard-working farmers and their families, but this article highlights some of the issues with today's subsidy programs.

Highlights from the article to keep in mind:

• "Most of the money goes to real farmers who grow crops on their land ..."
• Residents living on former farmland in Texas collect subsidies for rice and other crops ... and they don't even farm their land
• A nine-month Post investigation found that the subsidy programs have taken much of the risk out of farming for those who dominate the industry
• One developer uses the farm subsidy as a selling point to buyers interested in buying new homes on former farmland.
• Politics has played the biggest hand in the entire mess. From wheat farmers in South Dakota to rice and cotton farmers in Arkansas, over the past 80-90 years the role of subsidies has been shaped and molded by political parties in power to win the favor of farmers in their districts.

Read more on the article at The Washington Post.