May 15, 1998
SATELLITE TELECONFERENCE ON FEED RULES ANNOUNCED
FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), State feed control officials, and organizations representing feed manufacturers announce a national interactive satellite teleconference:
"BSE: Understanding the Important New Regulations for Animal Feeds"
Wednesday, June 24, 1998
1:00 to 3:30 p.m. EDT
This teleconference will explain the rule prohibiting the use of certain animal proteins in ruminant feeds. The broadcast will thoroughly review how the rules apply to the commercial feed industry.
Along with CVM, the teleconference sponsors are the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which is made up of officials of State feed control programs; the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), which represents major feed companies in the U.S.; and the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), which represents grain handlers and processors, including feed manufacturers.
The bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) rule, which prohibits feeding certain types of mammalian protein to cattle and other ruminants (four-stomached animals), went into effect in August last year, and State and Food and Drug Administration personnel are currently inspecting feed mills to see whether the operators are complying with it.
Under the rule, any feed or feed ingredient that could include the prohibited protein must be labeled with the warning, "Do not feed to cattle or other ruminants." States and FDA can take regulatory action against a company that sells prohibited material that does not have the warning label on it (no matter whether a cattle, hog, or poultry producer buys the product) or does not keep complete records, which are required under the rule.
The satellite teleconference is designed to show feed mill managers how to comply with the BSE rule, thus helping assure them that an inspection by FDA or cooperating States will find their firm in compliance with the new regulations. Also, by complying with the rule, feed manufacturers will help prevent the establishment or spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the U.S. Scientists believe that BSE is spread to cattle via contaminated feed. The disease has never been diagnosed in the U.S.
The broadcast will be interactive, meaning that viewers can call to ask questions while the show is in progress. When the show is being broadcast, viewers can call with questions to the studio at 1-800-527-1401 or fax to 888-361-4011. The questions will be given to State and Federal representatives on the air, who will answer all the questions that they have time for during the broadcast.
Questions can also be submitted in advance, and those questions are more likely to be answered as part of the show. These questions should be submitted to CVM or any of the cosponsoring groups no later than June 10. CVM has established an e-mail address to receive these questions -- CVMBSE@Bangate.FDA.GOV.
The broadcast will be available to anyone with access to a "steerable" satellite dish antenna. Also, most U.S. Department of Agriculture Extension Service offices, FDA Regional offices, most community colleges, colleges and universities, many rural fire departments, many hotels, and other locations have the capability of receiving the satellite signal. There will be no charge to receive the signal. The satellite coordinates are:
C Band
Galaxy 3R - Transponder 18
95 west
Downlink frequency 4060
Audio 6.2/6.8
A test signal will be broadcast beginning at noon EDT, giving viewers a chance to find the right channel. The emergency number to call only during that hour or during the broadcast, if there are any difficulties finding the signal, is 301-827-3251.
The broadcast will begin at 1:00 p.m. EDT and last until 3:30 p.m. EDT.
For more information, or to submit questions, contact:
At CVM, Joanne Kla (301) 827-6507 or fax (301) 594-1831;
At AAFCO, Herschel Pendell, (503) 986-4752, or fax (503) 986-4735;
At AFIA, Rex Runyon (703) 524-0810 or fax (703) 524-1921; and
At NGFA, Randy Gordon, (202) 289-0873 or fax (202) 289-5388.
Note: Any unforeseen changes regarding this broadcast will be posted immediately on the CVM's Home page.
Issued by:
FDA, Center for Veterinary Medicine,
Communications Staff, HFV-12
7519 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855
Telephone: (240) 276-9300 FAX: (240) 276-9115
Internet Web Site: http://www.fda.gov/cvm
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