Court orders FDA action on antibiotic use on farms
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — A federal court judge has ordered the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action on its own 35-year-old rule that would stop farmers from mixing antibiotics into animal feed, a practice which has led to dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria.
In 1977, the FDA concluded the overuse of antibiotics in livestock, poultry and other animals weakened the effectiveness of the lifesaving drugs in humans. The agency issued a proposal that would ban non-medical use of penicillin and tetracycline in farm animals. But the proposal idled for more than three decades, after vigorous pushback from members of Congress and lobbyists. In a ruling handed down Thursday, Judge Theodore Katz said the FDA must begin steps to withdraw routine use of the drugs in animals, siding with a lawsuit by consumer advocates.
Thune seeks to block rules on farm youth
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota U.S. Sen. John Thune has introduced a bill seeking to prevent the U.S. Labor Department from imposing rules that would limit the jobs children can do on farms.
Thune said the proposed rules would unnecessarily restrict the participation of young people in agricultural activities. He says the rules would prohibit common practices on farms and would hamper the training of young people in agricultural work.
Thune and fellow Republican Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas introduced the bill seeking to block the rules. Thune said 36 other senators have signed on as cosponsors.
Obama approves storm aid for local, state services
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (AP) — President Barack Obama has approved federal assistance for state and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations in five southern Indiana counties, for damage sustained from tornadoes and severe storms that struck between Feb. 29-March 3.
Gov. Mitch Daniels’ office said Obama approved the aid for Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott and Washington counties. His office said state and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations in the five counties are eligible to apply for federal assistance to pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities.
House passes tax relief bill for Kentucky tornado victims FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Those working to rebuild in 21 tornado-ravaged counties could be getting some tax relief. A bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Mike Denham of Maysville passed the Kentucky House 96-0 Thursday, the day after it was approved in committee. It now moves to the state Senate.
It would help people rebuild in the counties declared presidential disaster areas after the March 2 tornadoes by having the state treasury refund the 6 percent state sales tax for three years on building materials, if the buildings are reconstructed or repaired where the losses occurred.
Owners would provide receipts for the materials and proof of losses by their insurance companies or FEMA.
The bill also would give school districts in those counties 10 extra emergency days that don’t count toward their average daily attendance and ensure that school employees in the affected districts not lose any pay or benefits as a result of lost work days. Employees would still have to complete work, but it wouldn’t have to be in their regularly assigned areas.
The bill was announced March 20 by Rep. John Will Stacy (D-West Liberty) at a press conference attended by Democratic and Republican leaders of the Kentucky House and Senate. House members were able to act quickly on the emergency provision by stripping language from a transportation bill Denham had offered and substituting the wording of the relief measure.
UN: Egypt’s foot-and-mouth outbreak could spread ROME (AP) — A United Nations (UN) agency is warning an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Egypt could spread and threaten livestock in North Africa and the Middle East, leading to possible food shortages.
The disease is not a direct threat to humans but meat and milk from sick animals are unsafe for consumption. The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization said Thursday that 40,222 cases of the disease are suspected in Egypt and 4,658 animals, mostly calves, have already died. The agency said 6.3 million buffalo and cattle and 7.5 million sheep and goats are at risk in Egypt. The agency said Egypt needs regional help in obtaining vaccines. |
