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EDEN Conference – Clemson, SC – January 8-10
The Southeast EDEN Agrosecurity
Conference is scheduled for the Madren
Conference Center, Clemson, South
Carolina from January 8-10, 2008. This is
the third of six EDEN regional conferences
focusing on animal agrosecurity issues.
Conference objectives are:
to help Extension educators
understand their role and
responsibilities in the event of
animal agrosecurity incidents (i.e.,
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| The Madren Conference Center in Clemson, South Carolina. |
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contagious disease outbreaks),
to understand the resources available, and
to become better prepared to work in a team with other agencies and
producers during an agrosecurity incident.
Agencies and other emergency management groups will have an improved
understanding of Extension’s educational and facilitation role, and the resources
available through the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN). The conference
agenda includes time for Extension and agency representatives to discuss state and
multi-state approaches to agrosecurity incidents.
According to Carol of the University of Florida, it is time to “get the word out” to
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individuals who have a vested interest in emergency
management and could benefit from attending. States are
encouraged to send teams to the conference, and carry the
information back to co-workers. Teams should consider
including representatives from Cooperative Extension
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(especially those with dairy, livestock, poultry, or emergency preparedness
responsibilities), the State Veterinarian, Animal Health Bureau, Department of
Agriculture, Emergency Management Agency, Health Department; SART; Law
Enforcement; and commodity groups representing integrated dairy, livestock and
poultry production.
A conference flyer is available at:
http://www.eden.lsu.edu/LearningOps/Workshops/AnimalAgroSecurity2007/Southe
ast/SE-RACC-PageOverview.pdf.
Information on logistics, agenda and registration is available at:
http://www.eden.lsu.edu/LearningOps/Workshops/AnimalAgroSecurity2007/Southe
ast/default.aspx.
Direct questions to me (clehtola@ufl.edu) or to Howard van Dijk (hdijk@clemson.edu),
who is the conference host.
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Next Quarterly SART Advisory Board Meeting
Is Timed With Training Event
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The next Quarterly SART Advisory Board
Meeting is scheduled for 10 AM Wednesday,
March 5, 2008 at the 41-acre Marion County 4-
H Farm, 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd., Ocala, FL
34470 (352) 671-8400. Please note this
change of venue!
The meeting will begin following a 48-hour live
training event held as a "planned, response to a
local disaster," possibly an event involving a
mock chemical release. The training event is
designed to test equipment, coordination and
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| A 48-hour live training event will be held at the Marion County 4-H Farm prior to the March 2880 Advisory Board Meeting. |
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procedures across several of the SART disaster response partners. SART members
John Haven (havenj@mail.vetmed.ufl.edu), Director of the College of Veterinary
Medicine, University of Florida, and David Perry (perryda@doacs.state.fl.us), DOACS
ACP Administrator can be contacted for additional information about the event.
The Quarterly Advisory Board Meeting will highlight significant opportunities to
become more involved in SART efforts and is truly a "must-attend" for all agencies
and organizations that participate in disaster planning and response. The meeting
will include time to tour and examine the significant resources of the SART partners
participating in the training event. In addition to the regular business of monitoring
Florida’s readiness for a disaster, discussion will include a NASAAEP update on the
National Alliance of State Animal and Agricultural Emergency Programs
(http://www.tnavc.org/mynavc/Default.aspx?tabid=257) which
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will have held its formative meeting at the Gaylord Hotel during
the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando January
22-23, 2008.
[Directions to the Marion County 4-H Farm: From Interstate 75,
take exit #354 and turn east on US Hwy. 27. Proceed about 3
miles to US Hwy 441/301 and turn left/north. It is less than a
mile to NE 20th St. (Old Jacksonville Road); turn right/east. It is
approximately a mile to the facility.]
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Dramatic Equine Rescue in Illinois
A traffic accident near Chicago in late October tested that state’s emergency animal
responders. Apparently, 59 draft horses were being transported inside a double-
decker semi-trailer. The truck driver ran a traffic light and collided with a pick-up
truck. As a result, as many as 18 of the horses were ultimately euthanized.
HARPS, the Hooved Animal Rescue and Protection Society (www.HarpsOnLine.com),
has links to additional information and photos of the Illinois accident. [Photos
courtesy www.BristolWisconsin.com.]
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Pet First Aid & Disaster Response Guide
excellent and colorful 118-page 5 ½” x 8 ½” illustrated handbook that every pet
owner should own, read and periodically review.
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“Pet First Aid & Disaster Response Guide” is designed
in two parts. Elaine Acker, founder of Pets America,
authored Part One, which is titled “Critical Lessons
from Veterinarians.” In this section, Acker reviews
steps that pet owners may take to prepare for and
then respond to a pet emergency. One of the many
contributions that make this small handbook so
useful is the inclusion of Normal Vital Sign
information to help pet owners judge when their pet
may be experiencing stress. She also gives valuable
First Aid information so that pet owners can respond
quickly to various pet emergencies (bites, burns,
poisons, etc.), before a veterinarian can be located.
David Chapman’s illustrations truly bring this section
alive.
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Part Two is titled “Because Lives Depend on It.” Authored by Elaine Acker and Liz
Wang (with Rick Sapp), this section concerns making a disaster action plan for pets
and people. It begins with a brief discussion of emergencies and dealing with those
adrenaline-inducing disruptions to our routines; then, it speaks to the heart of a
personal commitment to Being Prepared – having a blueprint in-place for that f
unexpected moment when something suddenly happens, when it would be easy for
anyone without a plan to panic and to forget vital details and information.
Dedicating the book, Elaine Acker quotes her mother, Katherine: “It’s the things you
know to do but don’t do that get you into trouble.” Indeed.
The Pets America “Pet First Aid & Disaster Response Guide” is published by Pets
America, P.O. Box 40997, Austin, TX 78704 (512) 497-7535. It can be ordered for
$14.95 from Texas A&M Press through www.PetsAmerica.org.
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Reminder – NASAAEP Formation Meeting
the National Alliance of State Animal and Agricultural Emergency Programs or
NASAAEP – are holding a formative meeting during the North American Veterinary
Conference in Orlando January 22-23, 2008.
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The Veterinary Conference will include a NASAAEP
organizational working group meeting on the afternoon of
January 22, an evening reception that same evening and a
day of presentations and updates on January 23rd. If you are
registered for the Veterinary Conference, you can attend this
meeting for no additional fee. If you would like to attend only
this session, you can register for $85, which includes lunch,
at http://www.tnavc.org/mynavc/Default.aspx?tabid=257.
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Presentations will include:
Federal agency updates on animal emergency management issues
Veterinary opportunities in emergency management and response
The Social and Political Impacts of Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreaks in
Britain (Dr. Steve Van Wei)
Developing local resources (a panel of state programs)
From 0 to 60 in Two Years: Funding programs through grants, sponsorships
and donations
Annual meeting: finalize of an incorporation plan
NASAAEP sessions will be open to all vet conference attendees. The new group is
appropriate for all SART/VMRC (and similar programs) leaders and participants, local program
(such as CART) leadership, national organization personnel and federal personnel.
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Florida Counties Designated “Drought Disaster Areas”
Allows Farmers-Ranchers to Apply for Assistance
because of drought losses continuing since January 1, 2007. In addition, the nine
counties adjacent to drought-affected counties (Broward, Charlotte, Highlands, Lee,
Mimi-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and Pinellas) also qualify for natural
disaster benefits because their counties are contiguous.
Qualified Florida farm operators may be eligible for low
interest emergency drought disaster loans from USDA's
Farm Service Agency (FSA). Farmers have eight months to
apply for such loans to help cover actual losses.
Interested individuals may contact USDA FSA Service
Centers for information on eligibility and application
procedures. Additional information is also available online
at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
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Agroterror: The Law Enforcement Role and Perspective
“I received this link – www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/pubs-sum/214752.htm - via NCJRS
International Monthly Accessions List and wanted to forward it should anyone be
interested in ‘light’ reading,” wrote Corporal Julio Schrodel who is in Planning &
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Research with the Cape Coral Police Department [239-242-3399].
Corporal Schrodel is a member of the International Association of
Law Enforcement Planners and the Law Enforcement Planning &
Research Directors' Forum.
Although the specific link Corporal Schrodel directed us to had
timed out, it led us to a National Institute of Justice publications
page where we found numerous references to agroterrorism and
biological terror possibilities. One, dated December 2006 and
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relating to foot-and-mouth disease (a disease which we have given special attention
because of its continuing outbreaks in England), is summarized below. The full text is
available at that site as a PDF document:
Agroterrorism—Why We're Not Ready: A Look at the Role of Law Enforcement
An agroterrorism attack would dramatically impact many aspects of American life,
including law enforcement, which – especially in rural areas – is financially and
strategically unprepared to respond. This Research for Policy considers the effect of
the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease to the American cattle industry, including
the mandatory slaughter of millions of animals and an impact of up to $60 billion on
the U.S. economy. The publication outlines why law enforcement is not currently
ready for such a terrorist attack and offers guidance for preventing and preparing to
respond to an act of agroterrorism.
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Through the Grapevine
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Discussing the strategic planning process for SART at the recent Quarterly Advisory
Board Meeting in Gainesville December 6th, ”There comes a time when the traditional
ways of looking at things just won’t work.”
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Joe Kight, ESF-17 Coordinator
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Sign-Up for Dairy Disaster Aid Begins December 3rd
III) at local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) service centers beginning Monday,
December 3rd.
DDAP-III has $16 million in benefits to help producers
recover losses resulting from a variety of adverse
weather conditions between January 1, 2005 and
February 28, 2007. It compensates for:
lost herds or dumped milk when dairy plants
closed or the disaster damaged containment
equipment.
power outages, fuel shortages and
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infrastructure damage that temporarily interrupted the flow of dairy products
to market.
To be eligible, producers must have suffered losses in primary and contiguous
counties declared or designated a natural disaster. Also, producers in counties
receiving an FSA Administrator's Physical Loss Notice determination are eligible.
USDA provides more information on proposed DDAP-III provisions in a fact sheet
posted online at: http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
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New Training Manual
Is Available On Line and In CD Format
College of Veterinary Medicine, has developed a training module titled “Recognizing
and Responding to Foreign Animal Diseases.” This module, part of the Keep Florida
Safe series may be viewed directly at www.flsart.org/training/index.html or by
clicking on the "Training Materials" menu at http://www.flsart.org and selecting this
module.
This module has been developed in a particularly interesting format with voice-overs
and viewer interactive abilities. These features help viewers retain information about
the module’s four principal points:
1. The dangers of foreign animal diseases,
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Dr. Paul Gibbs is a
Veterinarian and
Professor of Virology
in the University of
Florida’s College of
Veterinary Medicine. |
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2. How foreign animal diseases are transmitted,
3. Diseases that pose the greatest threat to Florida and the
US and
4. How to deal with foreign animal diseases.
Gibbs’ teaching module deals with disease vectors that may
affect a number of common farm, companion and even wild
animals: birds, cattle, swine, sheep, goats and rabbits. It takes
about two hours to thoroughly review the materials in the
module.
“Recognizing and Responding to Foreign Animal Diseases” was
produced for the Florida Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services (DOACS) and the Florida State Agricultural
Response Team (SART). Copies of the CD may be obtained from
Florida ESF 17 Coordinator Joe Kight at kightj@doacs.state.fl.us.
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Exotic Update: Apple Snails Spreading
recently identified Island Apple Snails in Newnan’s Lake east of Gainesville.
Newnan’s is the largest lake in Alachua County. This exotic species was first
identified in Florida lakes in 1987, but this is the first discovery of exotic snails in
Alachua County.
Although the Florida Apple Snail is a native species, its four exotic cousins are now
loose in the state: the Channeled, Florida, Island, Spike-topped (also called Golden)
and Titan. Florida’s snail is the smallest of the five and the only one that lays white
eggs. The others are native to South America and lay eggs that are pink or green
(Titan).
The Island Apple Snail is twice as large as its Florida relative, breeds profusely and
lives up to four years. While these snails could strip a lake of all aquatic vegetation
(they have caused significant damage in Asia and the Pacific), according to the
FWCC, no damage attributable solely to the Island Apple Snail has yet been
documented.
So, there is both bad news and good news.
BAD
o Exotic snails can spread through flooding or hurricanes.
o FWCC officers say the recent introductions in Newnan’s Lake were
most likely caused when aquarium owners dumped unwanted
contents.
o FWCC researchers suspect that someone in the exotic pet trade placed
snails in Lake Okeechobee canals to breed and sell them.
o Exotic Apple Snails are found from Tallahassee to Miami.
GOOD
o The Newnan’s infestation was spotted by “a birder,” an informed
citizen.
o Bill Haller, University of Florida Director of the Center for Aquatic and
Invasive Plants, says that covering Apple Snail eggs with canola oil or
simply scraping them into the water prevents them from hatching.
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Left: Spraying is an effective means of controlling populations of exotic snails. Center: Comparing a mass of
pink Island Apple Snail eggs and white Florida Apple Snail eggs. Right: Comparison of mature Island Apple
Snail (large) and Florida Apple Snail (small).
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The FWCC and the St. Johns River Water Management District treated the suspect
area (the boat ramp) of Newnan’s Lake with copper sulfate and more than two-dozen
dead snails have been found. The WMD continues to inspect the site to remove egg
clutches.
For additional information, please visit
www.floridadep.org/central/Home/Watershed/snails/Snails.htm and
http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/Docs/FWC_applesnails_FLMS_handout.pdf.
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Recycling – It’s Catching On
On a recent trip, your Editor noticed these unusual recycling bins in Portugal: blue =
Papel/Cartão (paper/cardboard), gold = Embalagens (plastic packages) and green =
Vidro (glass). Color schemes of recycling containers matched the houses, most of
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which were bordered in either a sandy brown or a sky
blue. So do our containers similarly match our
homes? (US bins pictured are from the Editor’s home
in Gainesville. Perhaps it is coincidence that these
are orange and blue….)
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Editor: Rick Sapp, PhD, Technical Writer, Florida Department of Agriculture &
Consumer Services, Division of Animal Industry [rsa5@cox.net]
Associate Editor: Joe Kight, State ESF-17 Coordinator, Florida Department of
Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division of Animal Industry
[kightj@doacs.state.fl.us]
The SART SENTINEL is an E-mail newsletter prepared monthly by Rick Sapp and the
members of the Florida State Agricultural Response Team. Past issues of the
Sentinel are archived on the Florida SART Web Site, www.flsart.org.
If you have a story or photo that you would like to have considered for publication in
The SART SENTINEL, please contact the Editors.
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