WASHINGTON, DC, May 6, 2005 (ENS): Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns is providing more time for the development of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), needed to locate animals that may have mad cow disease.
Thursday he released a "thinking paper and timeline" on the system and called on agriculture producers and industry partners to provide feedback. Johanns proposes requiring stakeholders to identify premises and animals according to NAIS standards by January 2008. Requiring full recording of defined animal movements is proposed by January 2009.
Administered by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the NAIS is a cooperative state-federal-industry program being created to monitor animal movements from birth to death for the purpose of disease tracking.
Johanns said it will be established "over time" through the integration of three key components: premises identification, animal identification and animal tracking.
Need for this system was demonstrated by the discovery in December 2003 of a Washington state cow with mad cow disease. The identification system is viewed as a necessary component of U.S. efforts tocontrol the spread of the fatal brain wasting disease that has crippled the U.S. cattle industry.
"The documents we're releasing today offer a draft plan to move the public discussion forward on this important initiative," said Johanns on Thursday. "We created these documents with guidance from the NAIS advisory committee and with a great deal of input from producers. We're proposing answers to some of the key questions about how we envision this system moving forward.
"Now, I'm eager to hear from farmers and ranchers so we can develop a final plan."
Stakeholders have questioned funding for the system, confidentiality of data in the system and flexibility of the system, among other things.
Eventually, the NAIS will allow animal health officials to identify all animals and premises that have had contact with a foreign or domestic animal disease of concern within 48 hours of an initial presumptive-positive diagnosis. As an information system that provides for rapid tracing of infected and exposed animals during an outbreak situation, the NAIS will help limit the scope of such outbreaks and ensure that they are contained as quickly as possible.
APHIS received approximately $33 million for NAIS implementation in fiscal year 2005 through the Consolidated Appropriations Act. USDA also transferred $18.8 million from its Commodity Credit Corporation to APHIS in FY 2004 to support the program.
Both documents are available on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's NAIS Web site at http://www.usda.gov/nais and will be published in the Federal Register.
Consideration will be given to comments received on or before June 6, 2005. Send an original and three copies of postal or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. 050-15-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Online, a link to the NAIS docket and comment form will be available on the NAIS home page at http://www.usda.gov/nais.
Once USDA receives feedback on the documents, it will follow the normal rulemaking process before any aspects of the NAIS become mandatory. The public will have the opportunity to submit additional comments on any proposed regulations.
This article reprinted from the New Farm web site at www.newfarm.org and from the ENS Newswire at http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2005/2005-05-06-09.asp#anchor4
NAIS is moving forward, but it is not too late to give your input into these latest government proposal. Many questions have not been answered regarding this registration program. Additional information can be found at the following web sites: http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/about/index.shtml, http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/newsroom/factsheets/goal_factsheet.shtml, http://www.freetennessee.org/NAIS_proposal_overview.html, www.horsecouncil.org/equineid.htm, or www.stopanimalid.org. Additionally we recommend that you do a search on the internet for the National Animal Identification System or visit your local library and read the many articles to help you make up your mind and take action by voicing your opinion today.
NEWS YOU CAN USE!
CELL PHONE SAFETY ALERT!
(Dateline - December 10, 2006) Here's some reasons why we don't allow cell phones in operating areas, propylene oxide handling and storage area, propane, gas and diesel refueling areas. The Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fueling operations.
In the first case, the phone was placed on the car's trunk lid during fueling; it rang and the ensuing fire destroyed the car and the gasoline pump.
In the second, an individual suffered severe burns to their face when fumes ignited as they answered a call while refueling their car.
And in the third, an individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin as fumes ignited when the phone, which was in their pocket, rang while they were fueling their car.
You should know that: Mobile Phones can ignite fuel or fumes.
Mobile phones that light up when switched on or when they ring release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition. Mobile phones should not be used in filling stations, or when fueling lawn mowers, boat! , Etc. Mobile phones should not be used, or should be turned off, around other materials that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust, (i.e. solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc.).
To sum it up, here are the: Four Rules for Safe Refueling.
1) Turn off engine
2) Don't smoke
3) Don't use your cell phone - leave it inside the vehicle or turn it off
4) Don't re-enter your vehicle during fueling
Bob Renkes of Petroleum Equipment Institut e is working on a campaign to try and make people aware of fires as a result of"static electricity" at gas pumps . His company has researched 150 cases of these fires. His results were very surprising:
1) Out of 150 cases, almost all of them were women.
2) Almost all cases involved the person getting back in their vehicle while the nozzle was still pumping gas. When finished, they went back to pull the nozzle out and the fire started, as a result of static.
3) Most had on rubber-soled shoes.
4) Most men never get back in their vehicle until completely
finished. This is why they are seldom involved in these types of fires.
5) Don't ever use cell phones when pumping gas
6) It is the vapors that come out of the gas that cause the fire, when connected with static charges.
7) There were 29 fires where the vehicle was re-entered and the nozzle was touched during refueling from a variety of makes and models. Some resulted in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, and to the customer.
8) Seventeen fires occurred before, during or immediately after the
gas cap was removed and before fueling began. Mr. Renkes stresses to NEVER get back into your vehicle while filling it with gas. If you absolutely HAVE to get in your vehicle while the gas is pumping, make sure you get out, close the door TOUCHING THE METAL, before you ever pull the nozzle out. This way the static from your body will be
discharged before you ever remove the nozzle.
As I mentioned earlier, The Petroleum Equipment Institute, along with several other companies now, are really trying to make the public aware of this danger. You can find out more information by going to www.pei.org. Once here, click in the center of the screen where it says "Stop Static".
CAR ALARM CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE
(Dateline - June 29, 2006) "Here's a good tip that I got from a friend who got the tip from a neighborhood watch coordinator.
"When someone is trying to get into your house, or if you hear a noise outside your house," keep your car keys next to your bed on the night stand and just press the panic alarm on your car.It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key chain."
A lot of burglars will cut your telephone line before breaking in so this is a real good idea, THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.
PHONE SCAM ALERT
(Dateline - March 31, 2006) If you should receive a telephone call from an individual identifying himself as an Phone Service technician who was conducting a test on telephone lines, be aware that this is a scam. He stated that to complete the test I should touch nine(9), zero(0), the pound sign (#), and then hang up.
The telephone company tells us that by pushing 90#,
you give the requesting individual full access to your telephone line, which enables them to place long distance calls billed to your home phone number. This scam has been originating from many local jails/prisons I have also verified this information with UCB
Telecom, Pacific Bell, MCI, Bell Atlantic and GTE. Please beware.
DO NOT press 90# for ANYONE.
The GTE Security Department requested that I share this information with EVERYONE I KNOW.
After checking with Verizon they said it was true, so do not dial
(9),zero(0), the pound sign # and hang up for anyone.
NEW FORM OF BREAST CANCER DISCOVERED
(Dateline - March 14, 2006) In November, a rare kind of breast cancer was found. A woman developed
a rash on her breast, similar to that of young mothers who are nursing. Because her mammogram had been clear, the doctor treated her with antibiotics for infections. After two rounds, it continued to get worse, therefore, her doctor sent her for another mammogram. This time it showed a mass. A biopsy found a fast growing malignancy. Chemo was started in order to shrink the growth; then a mastectomy was performed; then a full round of chemo then radiation. After about 9 months of intense treatment, she was given a clean bill of health. She had one year of living each day to its fullest! Then the cancer returned to the liver area. She took 4 treatments and decided that she wanted quality of life, not the after effects of chemo. She had 5 great months and she planned each detail of the final days. After a few days of needing morphine, she died.
She left this message to be delivered to women everywhere....
Women, PLEASE be alert to anything that is not normal and be persistent in getting help as soon as possible.
Padgett’s Disease: This is a rare form of breast cancer, and is on the outside of the breast, on the nipple and aureole. It appeared as a rash, which later became a lesion with a crusty outer edge. I would not have ever suspected it to be breast cancer but it was. My nipple never seemed any different to me, but the rash bothered me, so I went to the doctor for that. Sometimes, it itched and was sore, but other than that, it didn't bother me. It was just ugly and a nuisance and could not be cleared up with all the creams prescribed by my doctor and dermatologist for the dermatitis on my eyes just prior to this outbreak. They seemed a little concerned but did not warm me it could be cancerous.
Now, I suspect not many women out there know a lesion or rash on the
nipple or aureole can be breast cancer. Mine started out as a single red pimple on the aureole. One of the biggest problems with Padgett’s Disease of the nipple is that the symptoms appear to be harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin inflammation or infection, leading to unfortunate delays in detection and care.
What are the symptoms?
1. A persistent redness, oozing, and crusting of your nipple causing it to itch and burn. (As I stated, mine did not itch or burn much and had no oozing I was aware of, but it did have a crust along the outer edge on one side).
2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal. (Mine was on the aureole area with a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple).
3. Usually only one nipple is affected. How is it diagnosed? Your
doctor will do a physical exam and should suggest having a mammogram of both breasts, done immediately. Even though the redness, oozing and crusting closely resembles dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), your doctor should suspect cancer if the sore is only on one breast. Your doctor should order a biopsy of your sore to confirm what is going on.
This message should be taken seriously and passed on to as many of your relatives and friends as possible; it could save someone’s life. My breast cancer has spread and metastasized to my bones after receiving mega doses of chemotherapy, 28 treatments of radiation and taking Tamoxifen. If this had been diagnosed as breast cancer in the beginning, perhaps it would not have spread...
This article provided by George West.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE BUYING MULCH
(Dateline - March 5, 2006) If you use mulch around your house be very careful about buying mulch
this year. After the Hurricane in New Orleans many trees were blown over.
These trees were then turned into mulch and the state is trying to get
rid of tons and tons of this mulch to any state or company who will come
and haul it away. So it will be showing up in Home Depot and Lowes at
dirt cheap prices with one huge problem; Formosan Termites will be the
bonus in many of those bags. New Orleans is one of the few areas in the
country were the Formosan Termites has gotten a strong hold and most of
the trees blown down were already badly infested with those termites. Now
we may have the worst case of transporting a problem to all parts of the
country that we have ever had. These termites can eat a house in no time
at all and we have no good control against them, so tell your friends
that own homes to avoid cheap mulch and know were it came from.
ATTORNEY'S ADVICE -- NO CHARGE
(Dateline - Feb. 15, 2006) Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice!
A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED".
3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.
Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more. But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:
1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
2 File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation
(if there ever is one).
But here's what is perhaps most important of all : (I never even thought to do this.)
3. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away This weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.
Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc., has been stolen:
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
