Weekly livestock news: August 7, 2023

U.S. pork firms divided over bill to overturn Prop 12

Some big U.S. pork producers that have spent money to comply with a California law requiring more living space for certain farm animals are lukewarm about legislation proposed in the U.S. Congress that would overturn the state law, Reuters reports. The National Pork Producers Council supports the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act, a bill introduced by U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and Representative Ashley Hinson that would curb the ability of states to regulate agricultural products sold within their borders. The lawmakers have said their aim in part is to overturn California’s Proposition 12.

FDA regulation on antibiotics could leave more backyard farmers in need of a veterinarian

In June, all remaining over-the-counter antibiotics for livestock switched to prescription-only status as part of new rules from the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. Most farmers are adapting to the new regulations, but the change will especially impact those farming on a much smaller scale, said Dr. Michael Todd, who practices large-animal medicine in Columbus Junction, Iowa. “Most farmers need a relationship with a veterinarian; this will have more people with backyard livestock calling for antibiotics,” he said. Although veterinarians may expect an uptick in calls, that might take some time, as the regulation allows farm stores to sell without a prescription until current inventory is expired, Successful Farming reports.

Ceva drops legal challenge of bird flu vaccine deal in France

France-based animal health group Ceva has withdrawn a legal challenge over a tender to supply France with a bird flu vaccine that Ceva lost to Boehringer Ingelheim, Reuters reports. France authorities chose Boehringer Ingelheim to supply 80 million doses of bird flu vaccines needed for its initial vaccination campaign for ducks due to start in October, making it the first country in the European Union to vaccinate poultry against the virus. Ceva decided to drop its appeal to avoid causing delays for the livestock sector in the vaccination campaign, the company said in a statement. Ceva said it’s continuing discussions with authorities over subsequent phases of the vaccination campaign and has already produced more than 10 million shots of its bird flu vaccine for ducks.

Half-million Americans may have tick-linked meat allergy, studies show

As many as 450,000 people in the United States may be living with alpha-gal syndrome, a meat allergy that has been linked to tick bites, with many of those cases going undiagnosed, according to two new studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In one of the studies, scientists reviewed lab results of people who had been tested for the telltale antibodies, identifying 110,000 suspected cases since 2010, although that figure may be a significant underestimate. In the second study, researchers found that 78% of health care providers who were surveyed had little or no knowledge of the condition, and many clinicians who had heard of the syndrome were not sure how to diagnose it. Alpha-gal syndrome takes its name from galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, a sugar present in beef, pork, lamb and the meat of most other mammals. The New York Times reports.

Cattle industry group calls for transparent labeling of cell-cultured products

Members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association passed a directive at the NCBA Summer Business Meeting to continue the association’s advocacy efforts for transparent labeling and inspection of cell-cultured protein products, Drovers reports. “Cattle producers are not afraid of a little competition,” said NCBA President Todd Wilkinson. “Our priority is ensuring that consumers accurately know the difference between real beef and cell-cultured products through transparent and accurate labeling.” Earlier this year, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued two grants of inspection to companies producing cell-cultured chicken products. While no cell-cultured beef products have received a grant of inspection, NCBA said it’s aware of several companies attempting to create these products.

Research examines possibility of influenza D jump from livestock to humans

A University of Kentucky researcher is working to determine the potential of influenza D to leap from animals to humans. “We initially thought the virus originated in pigs, after hearing reports of the animals displaying flu-like symptoms in Oklahoma,” said Feng Li, a virologist at the University of Kentucky. “However, we’ve learned cattle primarily transmit it, and it’s fairly common.” In addition to cattle, there is evidence of periodic spillover to other animals, such as goats, buffalo and sheep, and there have been indications of human exposure to the virus, particularly among individuals working on cattle farms. It remains unclear whether these individuals experienced any symptoms, but the potential for zoonotic transmission sparked the need for further investigation.