20 September 2011

2 minute read

North America

The Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health will hold a public meeting on Friday, 23 September from noon to 5 pm to consider and discuss various aspects of the recently published proposed rule on traceability for livestock moving interstate.

The committee will also consider and discuss the US Department of Agriculture’s bovine tuberculosis programme, including possible wildlife surveillance requirements, test-and-remove management plans and the issue of indemnity within the context of the new bovine tuberculosis/brucellosis framework that is being developed.

Additional information, including the final agenda for the meeting, will be posted on the committee’s website at www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/acah/.

This meeting will be a multi-site teleconference. Members of the public who wish to listen to the teleconference should call 1-888-790-3291 and then enter passcode 1411045. Public attendees can only participate in “listen only” mode.

Questions and written comments can be sent up to five days in advance of the teleconference. Submitters can send them via email to [email protected] or via U.S. mail to Michael Doerrer, chief operating officer, USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services, 4700 River Road, Unit 37, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231.

APHIS also plans to allow public access through Twitter during this teleconference. Twitter users should tweet to “@USDA_APHIS” and add “#SACAH” to their message. For further instructions on participating via Twitter, please visit the committee’s website.

The Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health advises Secretary Tom Vilsack on matters of animal health--including means to prevent, monitor, control or eliminate animal diseases of national importance. In doing so, the committee considers public health, conservation of natural resources and the stability of livestock economies.