National and International News
US Bill Would Ban Nontherapeutic Antibiotics in LivestockA bill introduced by US Representative Louis Slaughter would change the way antibiotics are used on factory farms. The Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act 2009 (PAMTA) would require the FDA to withdraw the use of seven classes of antibiotics on factory farms |
Did Swine Flu Come from a CAFO?There has been much speculation by public health officials and the media that Swine Flu, renamed Influenza A (H1N1), is linked to a Smithfield Foods CAFO operating in Perote, Mexico. |
More Government Money for Pork IndustryIn September, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack approved an additional $30 million in September to bail out the financially distressed pork industry after initially denying a $50 million request from Governor Chet Culver |
H1N1 Influenza Hits Farms in CanadaSeveral hog farms in Manitoba, Canada's top pig producing province, were hit with the H1N1 virus in June, according to an article in Reuters. |
MRSA Found in Retail Meat SamplesA recent Louisiana State University study found nearly 5% of the raw pork it examined to be contaminated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 45.6% was contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). |