A.V.M.A. In The News

Dear Alabama Veterinary Medical Association Members,

September was an active month for the A.V.M.A. leadership and staff both at the Schaumburg offices as well as “On the Hill”. Included in this E-Newsletter are just a few of the “hot button” topics being discussed at A.V.M.A. and around the country. Please take a few minutes to review the A.V.M.A. Councils, Committees, and Task Forces that are seeking veterinary leadership volunteers for 2009 (www.avma.org). If you think you may have an interest in one of them please contact me or Dr. Bill Dewitt. We can get you further information regarding each position. Since many of the positions are either elected or appointed, it is never too soon for delegates to begin assisting candidates in their election campaigns. Believe me, participating in A.V.M.A. leadership will be one of the most enriching, educational experiences you will have in your professional career!

Sincerely,

Dr. Jan Strother

A.V.M.A. Alternate Delegate

FDA would allow marketing of food from genetically engineered animals

Genetically engineered animals and their products, most notably food products, are closer to reaching the market now that the Food and Drug Administration has released draft guidance on their regulation.

The FDA intends for the guidance document, which the agency released Sept. 18 for comment, to clarify the agency’s regulatory authority and the requirements and recommendations for developers of GE animals and products from GE animals.

The AVMA responded with a statement noting potential benefits of GE animals in endeavors such as research and food production. The AVMA policy on “Creation and Use of Genetically Modified Animals” supports creation of genetically modified animals as long as they do not harm the environment, and the health and well-being of the animals remain preferential to human values and needs.

In the FDA guidance, which focuses primarily on food animals, the agency defines genetically engineered animals as those containing a recombinant DNA construct to give them new traits. The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine has worked with developers of GE animals to ensure that food from these animals does not enter the food supply until or unless the FDA authorizes such use.

The FDA plans to regulate heritable rDNA constructs as new animal drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Developers of GE food animals would need to demonstrate that the rDNA construct is safe and effective in the GE animal, that food from the GE animal is safe for human consumption, and that the GE animal does not pose environmental risks.

To complement the FDA guidance on GE animals, the Department of Agriculture also is seeking input on actions and approaches to consider under the Animal Health Protection Act.

The FDA document and the USDA request for information appeared in the Sept. 19 Federal Register, online at www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/browse.html. More information is available by visiting www.fda.gov/cvm/GEAnimals.htm or contacting Larisa Rudenko, Center for Veterinary Medicine (HFV-100), Food and Drug Administration, 7500 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855; phone, (240) 276-8247; larisa.rudenko@hhs.fda.gov.

Submit comments regarding the FDA draft guidance until Nov. 18 by mail to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061, Rockville, MD 20852; or electronically by searching for FDA-2008-D-0394 at www.regulations.gov. Submit comments relevant to the USDA request for information until Nov. 18 by mailing two copies to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0188, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238; or by searching for APHIS-2006-0188 at www.regulations.gov.

AVMA releases podcast on canine aggression toward children

Half of the approximately 800,000 people in the United States who are bitten by dogs each year are children. Canine aggression toward children is the subject of the latest episode of AVMA Animal Tracks, the weekly podcast series for pet owners.

Dr. Ilana Reisner, assistant professor of behavioral medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, discusses why children are so disproportionately the victims of dog bites, and how adults can help protect their children through training and education.

Animal Tracks was launched in May with a podcast featuring Dr. Kimberly May, assistant director of professional and public affairs in the AVMA Communications Division, talking about pet safety tips for the summer. The series has gone on to feature AVMA members and staff discussing issues such as disaster preparedness, aggression between dogs in the home, feline immunodeficiency virus, and hospice care.

AVMA Animal Tracks is available to download from an RSS feed on the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org/news/info_rss.asp. The podcasts are also accessible through Apple’s iTunes. Those with iTunes, which can be downloaded free at www.apple.com/itunes/overview, can subscribe to AVMA Animal Tracks and receive new episodes as soon as they become available through a portable media player such as an iPod.

AVMA speaks to Congress about livestock health issues

The AVMA testified before a House subcommittee Sept. 25 on advancements in animal health in the livestock industry, describing for lawmakers progress made improving public health and reaffirming the importance of treating food animals with antibiotic medicines.

Addressing the House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, Dr. Christine Hoang, assistant director of the AVMA Scientific Activities Division, explained that notable safeguards to animal and human health have emerged as a result of veterinarians’ work with livestock.

“Our profession has made many advances in animal health and food safety - in areas such as the development and implementation of animal disease control programs and biotechnology,” Dr. Hoang said. “Other successes through collaborative efforts include a decline in foodborne illness from meat and poultry products as well as a decline in the prevalence of foodborne pathogens, including Salmonella, associated with meat and poultry and resistance of those organisms.”

Dr. Hoang reiterated the benefits of maintaining animal health with the use of antibiotics. “Several risk assessments demonstrate a very low risk to human health from the use of antimicrobials in food animals, and more significantly, some models predict an increased human health burden if the use is withdrawn,” she testified.

Additionally, Dr. Hoang told the subcommittee the AVMA does not believe that additional regulation of the uses of antimicrobials or other therapeutic agents in veterinary medicine and animal agriculture are necessary. She also spoke about the importance of the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank—a critical but chronically underfunded program on which veterinarians, livestock producers, state and federal regulators, and extension specialists depend.

The AVMA’s written testimony is posted on the Association’s food safety advocacy Web site, www.keepourfoodsafe.org.

AVMA Offers Disaster Resources for Veterinarians,
Pet Owners as National Preparedness Month Begins

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.

— Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna, Josephine and Ike are excellent examples of why National Preparedness Month, held every September, is so important—preparation is the best defense.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and with the help of a coalition of 2,700 organizations across the country, National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), a coalition member, reminds people that pets should be a part of every evacuation plan.

"Planning ahead and practicing an evacuation plan is critical to ensuring the lives and safety of people and animals," says Dr. Heather Case, AVMA Assistant Director, Scientific Activities Division and Coordinator for Emergency Preparedness and Response. "The successful evacuation for Hurricane Gustav highlighted the significant progress Louisiana has made since Katrina, not only through ongoing planning but also through practicing their plans before the emergency."

Dr. Case explains that the disaster plan for Hurricane Gustav was swift and appropriate, which saves lives. This year, when families evacuated southern Louisiana and Mississippi ahead of Gustav, most people included their family pets in their evacuation plans. Furthermore, an emergency shelter for pets was set up ahead of time by the state of Louisiana in Shreveport, La.

Disaster Preparedness Month also reminds Americans that it's their civic responsibility to prepare for a disaster, and that includes creating and practicing disaster plans. To help in these efforts, the AVMA is promoting its Disaster Preparedness Series to help veterinarians, pet owners and others address animal and human well-being during and after a disaster.

The AVMA Disaster Preparedness Series consists of the following:

*AVMA Disaster Preparedness and Response Guide: This guide contains 500 pages of disaster planning information, including templates for writing detailed animal disaster annexes to county and state emergency operations plans. This guide is a resource designed for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, emergency managers and others interested in local and state planning for veterinary and animal disaster issues.

*Saving the Whole Family: Designed for veterinarians, this booklet provides detailed information on disaster planning for both small and large animals. Veterinarians are encouraged to share this booklet and its resources with clients, staff and the community.

*Disaster Preparedness for Veterinary Practices: Another resource for veterinarians, this brochure prepares veterinarians for continuing their practices in the aftermath of a disaster.