Mike Strain, Louisiana’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, was on hand Wednesday afternoon at the weekly meeting of Sulphur’s Kiwanis Club. He offered, for discussion, topics ranging from the recent reported case of mad cow disease in Canada to the aftereffects of recent storms to the state.
Strain, a doctor of veterinary science, briefly touched upon the recent finding of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, in British Columbia, Canada.
“In most cases, we believe the transfer of BSE is from contaminated feed. What happens is that this particular animal is slaughtered and then those parts we do not consume would go into animal feed,” he said.
“In the United States, for fifteen years, it has been illegal to use that type of product, thus breaking the cycle.”
As well, in 1997, Canada banned the use of animal products in food for cattle because the products are considered the source of mad cow infections, but the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has stated that some cases pre-dating the new rules may continue to surface.
According to Strain, mad cow disease is not caused by a particular virus but by a protein subunit of a particular virus. It is not alive and is part of a virus. The disease can also affect cats and, in some instances, according to Strain, may actually affect humans as well.
In the U.S., Strain stated, there is movement toward using premise identification and permanent tracking of livestock via microchips from first point of sale onward. Premise identification is a part of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) being developed and used to identify and track an animal as they move from one location to another. It creates a database that will allow a rapid traceback in the event of a disease concern.
Strain then turned discussion to matters concerning the state of Louisiana, specifically the aftereffects of Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
“Louisiana this year has been hit by the most devastating natural disasters since the great flood of ‘27,” said Strain.
“In some areas, the tidal surge was up to 15 feet high.”
Severe flooding throughout state put attention on levee failures or lack thereof and drainage systems not properly maintained. It also put the spotlight on the Army Corps of Engineers.
“We have lots of issues in Louisiana with the Corps,” said Strain.
“We have to get state money to do a study, give the study to the Corps so that the Corps can clear out their own canals,” said Strain, “Now that’s obscene.”
The total estimated damage to the state’s agriculture and forestry industry, according to Strain, is about $1 billion with fisheries at $125 million. About 80 percent of sweet potatoes were devastated, and the state suffered a 10 to 12 percent loss of sugar which will affect the area for years to come. More than half of the cotton crops were a loss at a cost of about $137 million. Timber damage is estimated to be at $90 million.
“The farm bill had not been signed until late and at the very end, they put in disaster provisions, first time in history. Only problem is that they were very poorly done, and they hadn’t written the final rules yet,” said Strain, “And they still haven’t been written.”
In it’s present state, farmers may not get payments from the disaster provisions until October or November of 2009.
“We are traveling to Washington, D.C. trying to get some aid for the farmers,” said Strain, “Bottom line is...with the disaster provisions of the farm bill, they wouldn’t give us an ad hoc bill. We tried to get $1.12 billion immediately to put money into the system and Washington said no. We are going to try again.”
Strain is also working to get $200 million in community development block grants.
“It is about continuation of our economy.”
Sulphur, La. —
