Policies, Guidelines and Congressional Activity

• U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 9, Chapter 3, Part 313, Humane Slaughter of Livestock
• U.S. Senator Robert Byrd's Speech on "Cruelty to Animals", July 12, 2001
• USDA, EPA Draft Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations (Sept. 11, 1998)
• USDA, AMS National Organic Standards Board
• USDA, AMS Process Verification Programs
• USDA, APHIS Guidelines for Investigating Suspect West Nile Virus Cases in Equine (July 2001)
• USDA, ARS Directive 635.1 Humane Animal Care and Use (1990)
• USDA, ARS Transportation & Marketing Livestock Transportation Program

Animal Health

• Animal Health Safeguarding Review: Results and Recommendations, 2001
  
  
• Animal Health and Production Compendium (CAB International)
     A global compilation of animal health and production knowledge for practical decision-making. Focusing on all aspects of animal health and production including diseases, nutrition, husbandry and breeding.
  
  
• Biotechnology in Livestock Production and Health
      Provided by the World Agriculture Information Centre (WAICENT) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Select Subject Gateway--Biotechnology, Sector, Livestock.
  
  
• Center for Animal Health Monitoring (CAHM) / USDA, APHIS, National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS)
     Collects, analyzes, and disseminates data on animal health, management, and productivity across the U.S.
  
  
• Comparative Placentation Website
      Comprehensive website on animal placentas created by Kurt Benirschke to assist with the examination and evaluation of mammalian placentas. Primarily directed to veterinary pathologists and zoo veterinarians.
  
  
• Foot and Mouth Disease Information
  
  
• Threats to Animal Agriculture: Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Exotic Newcastle Disease (END)
  
  
• Indiana Plants Poisonous to Livestock and Pets
      Database searchable by plant or species affected with a picture index. Produced by the Cooperative Extension Service of Purdue University.
  
  
• International Veterinary Information Service (IVIS)
      A not-for-profit organization providing information to veterinarians, veterinary students and animal health professionals world wide.
  
  
• National Biosecurity Resource Center for Animal Health Emergencies
     A data haven to enable Government, commodity groups, veterinarians, and producers to meet the challenges of animal health emergencies.
  
  
• Network for Animal Health and Welfare in Organic Agriculture Proceedings (NAHWOA)
      Full text proceedings of thematic workshops on the health and welfare of livestock animals.
  
  
• Researchers Seek Methods to Control Farm Animal Stress
      ARS' Healthy Animals Newsletter, Issue 14, March 2003
  
  
• Scrapie Information - USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services
      Includes Scrapie disease factsheet, certification program information and proposed rules.
  
  
• Screwworm Eradication Collection - USDA, National Agricultural Library, Special Collections
      History collection that documents the eradication of the screwworm.
  
  
• Texas A&M; Department of Animal Science, Animal Nutrition Webpage
      Includes information on extension, teaching and research relating to animal nutrition.
  
  
• Veterinary Services - USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS, VS)
      Veterinary Services protects and improves the health, quality, and marketability of our nation's animals, animal products and veterinary biologics by preventing, controlling and/or eliminating animal diseases, and monitoring and promoting animal health and productivity.
  
  

Disaster Planning

• Animal Health Safeguarding Review: Results and Recommendations, 2001
• Preparing the Farm and Farm Animals for Disaster
• California Animal Disaster Preparedness Plan
• Foot and Mouth Disease Disinfection Resources
• Useful World Wide Web Sites
• Bibliography
• Animal Management in Disasters (book review)
• Who Will Pay for On-Farm Environmental Improvements in the 21st Century? (2000)
  
  
• Animals in Disaster - Module A: Awareness and Preparedness (IS 10)

  Module A is intended to increase awareness and preparedness among animal owners and care providers. It includes sections on typical hazards, how these affect animals and what can be done by responsible owners to reduce the impact of disasters. It is also intended to help animal owners, care providers and industries to better understand emergency management. Module A will heighten awareness of the special issues that emergency managers need to consider when incorporating animal-care annexes into their emergency operations plans.

  
  
• Animals in Disaster - Module B: Community Planning (IS 11)

  Module B is intended to guide emergency management officials and animal owners, care providers, and industries in preparing community disaster plans. The goal of Module B is to provide sufficient information for both groups to meet and develop meaningful and effective plans that improve the care of animals, their owners, and the animal-care industries in disasters. This course provides the basic background knowledge needed to develop a coordinated response to a disaster in which animals and their owners are affected. Further training with local or State emergency management programs is essential.

  
  
• Livestock in Disasters (IS 111)

  This Independent Study course is for farmers, extension agents, emergency managers and others who have interests in the livestock industry. It describes the various hazards that animals can face and how to mitigate them, as well as how to respond to an actual disaster. The livestock industry is a multi-billion dollar business that provides food for the American people as well as those overseas. It is important to insure our livestock are safe from hazards and will not suffer from the effects of hazards. This course can be downloaded from the Independent Study Web site and the test can be completed and submitted online.

  
  

News

Sources

• News Relating to Farm Animals - Agricultural Research Service (ARS) [Subscripton information for the ARS News Service via E-Mail English or Spanish]
• ARS' Healthy Animals [Quarterly compilation of animal health-related research news]

  Press Releases Chronologically

• USDA Awards $4.5 Million in Grants for Organic Agriculture Projects [U.S. Department of Agriculture, 9-29-04]
• In Maryland, Two Sides Take Aim Before Bear Hunt Begins [Washington Post.com, 9-20-04]
• Changes Eyed to Reduce Salmonella in Eggs [WTOP Radio Network.com, 9-20-04]
• Long Thought Immune, Felines Contract Bird Flu [Scientific American.com, 9-3-04]
• Japan Confirms Case of Mad Cow Disease [WTOP Radio Network.com, 9-13-04]
• Sheep Put Brave Face on Stress [CNN.com, 8-25-04]
• Cow Earns Montana Rancher a Free Drink [WTOP Radio Network, 8-25-04]
• Thailand Kills Birds to Stop Flu Spread [WTOP Radio Network, 8-20-04]
• Malaysia Teen Afflicted with Flu Symptoms [WTOP Radio Network, 8-20-04]
• S. Africa Kills Ostriches over Bird Flu [WTOP Radio Network, 8-10-04]
• Poultry Plant Fires 11 after Abuse Video [WTOP Radio Network, 7-22-04]
• Pilgrim's Pride Vows to Stop Cruelty Towards Chickens [WTOP Radio Network, 7-21-04]
• U.N.: Bird Flu Poses Threat to Humans [WTOP Radio Network, 7-9-04]
• Bird Flu Strain May Threaten Humans [WTOP Radio Network, 6-29-04]
• Who's Killing Dairyman's Cows [Seattlepi.com, 6-22-04]
• Statement on Dairy Cattle Deaths in Washington State [U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 6-21-04]
• AVMA Welfare Positions Evolve [Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 6-1-04]
• N. Korean Farming Threatens Environment [WTOP Radio Network, 5-5-04]
• Donkey Does Security Detail at R.I. Farm [WTOP Radio Network, 4-21-04]
• US Livestock ID Program to Begin this Year [Agriculture Online, 2-20-04]

  Reports

• Cockfighting - House of Representatives, March 31, 2003

Additional Links