veterinarian retention program sponsored by the
USDA Veterinary Services.
19. ANIMAL AND PLANT DISEASES
West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends that
West Virginia University Experiment Station increase
investigations and research into the prevention and/
or cure of destructive livestock, poultry and plant
diseases.
Because of the influx of new and current diseases,
permit regulations and strict biosecurity procedures
should be followed when any research is conducted.
Tuberculosis and Brucellosis are diseases common
to livestock and humans. We recommend continued
efforts to maintain Class FREE status in West Virginia.
We also urge the West Virginia Department of
Agriculture and Department of Environmental
Protection plan for removal and disposal of infected
material when a highly infectious disease, such as
avian flu, occurs.
The WV Department of Agriculture has been
mandated by the USDA to develop an Animal Disease
Traceability program. WV Farm Bureau should
collaborate with WVDA to develop a program that
will work by involving livestock producers in the
development of this program.
WVFB can be proactive in organizing regional
meetings to solicit producer input for development of
this state program.
WVFB should actively support mandatory disease
traceability because it will be a defining factor in the
export market.
Virginia Farm Bureau recommends that the state
supply the materials and training, and landowners
provide the labor to eradicate noxious weeds. It is also
recommended that all landowners, both private and
public, be encouraged to participate in this process.
It is further recommended that Chicory (chicorium
intybus) be added to the list of noxious weeds.
22. CONTROL OF RABIES AND
ADMINISTRATION OF VACCINE
West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends more
strict enforcement of present laws for the control of
rabies in wild and domestic animals.
We recommend that the state give financial aid to
farmers who find it necessary to vaccinate livestock
due to exposure to rabid animals.
We further recommend that the law designate the
State Health Department as the leading agency to
control rabies. The sheriff, conservation officer, county
health department and any other agencies appointed
by the State Health Department will be responsible
for having the collected specimens of suspected rabid
animals taken to the health department laboratory for
examination.
In addition, because of the decline in numbers of
large animal veterinarians, WVFB recommends that
livestock producers have access to purchase the rabies
vaccine to inoculate livestock (for example: cattle,
sheep, equine, goats).
23. LYME DISEASE & WEST NILE VIRUS
West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends that
the West Virginia Department of Agriculture,
West Virginia Division of Health, West Virginia
Department of Education, West Virginia University
Extension Service, and public health agencies
provide educational information about prevention and
treatment of Lyme disease and West Nile virus as well
as provide annual notification by county of outbreaks
and detection.
20. CONTROL OF INJURIOUS INSECTS
West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends that
the State Department of Agriculture, working with
the Agri