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FDACSCommissioner Putnam Introduces Forestry Resolutions at First Cabinet MeetingPutnam Honors 75th Anniversary of Florida state forest system and announces Prescribed Fire Awareness Week TALLAHASSEE — At today’s meeting of the Governor and the Cabinet, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam introduced a resolution in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Florida state forest system. Beginning this month and throughout the year, the Division of Forestry at the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will hold numerous special events in state forests to commemorate this milestone in Florida’s overall public land management program. “For 75 years, Florida’s Division of Forestry has worked diligently to protect the forests of Florida from the dangers of wildland fire and to ensure our forests will be preserved for generations to come,” Commissioner Putnam said. “The Division of Forestry also plays an important role in educating the public of the value of Florida’s state forests and the steps we must take to preserve this natural resource. In 1936, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Forestry began managing state lands with the establishment of Pine Log State Forest near Panama City. Today, more than 1,250 dedicated employees across the state work together to manage 35 state forests, encompassing more than one million acres. Arrest Announced for Failure to Report Horse DiseaseSeptember 1, 2010 – TALLAHASSEE — Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today announced the arrest of an Indian River County woman who allegedly tried to conceal from authorities her two horses that were infected with Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). Arrested by Bronson’s Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) was Regina Chesser, 56, of Fellsmere. She was charged with failure to report a dangerous transmissible disease, which is a second-degree felony. Authorities allege that Chesser brought her horse “Dolly” to a Vero Beach veterinary clinic to be tested for EIA. When the test results were positive for EIA, authorities with the department’s Division of Animal Industry attempted to contact Chesser only to find that she had given the alias Cheryl Hearndon with a false address and phone number to the clinic and used a an email address registered to a friend. The false information was given because Chesser believed “Dolly” was infected with the EIA virus. The case was turned over to Bronson’s Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement to initiate a criminal investigation of the matter. After an extensive search, Chesser’s true identity and location were discovered. Authorities then learned that there were two horses on Chesser’s property and subsequent testing showed that both of the horses were carriers of EIA. New Service Animal DefinitionService animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler’s disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition. Farm to Fuel Summit on August 12 in OrlandoFlorida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson and U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Michael Scuse will hold a media availability at the annual “Farm to Fuel” Summit to discuss the future of alternative fuels in Florida. Deputy Under Secretary Scuse is the keynote speaker at the event. The availability will be held on August 12 at 1 p.m. in the Sebastian registration room at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando. Commissioner Bronson is holding his 2010 “Farm to Fuel” Summit August 11-13 to bring together hundreds of industry leaders in agriculture, energy, government, and academia as part of his ongoing effort to promote biofuels and other renewable energy sources in Florida. Bronson started the initiative in 2006. There will be panel discussions on biofuels, feedstocks, biomass power generation in Florida, and energy policy, among other topics. The media are invited to attend any or all of the sessions. For information, visit http://www.FloridaFarmToFuel.com or contact Liz Compton or Terence McElroy at (850) 488-3022. Liz Compton Terence McElroy Bronson Announces Accreditation of Ag Law Enforcement and Inspector GeneralTALLAHASSEE — Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has announced the reaccreditation of his Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (AgLaw) following a rigorous review by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA). The office first gained accreditation in 2007 and in April was re-evaluated for renewal of that status. For the first time, the department’s Inspector General’s Office has also received accreditation following a full on-site visit. The CFA reviews all aspects of an agency’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support systems to verify compliance with 276 recognized standards of excellence. Accreditation by the CFA is voluntary but considered a significant accomplishment and this status is held in high esteem by the criminal justice community. “This meticulous review of the facilities, personnel and programs within AgLaw measures our professionalism in a meaningful way, ensuring we meet the high standards dictated by law enforcement across the state and the nation,” Bronson said. “The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement has continued to expand its duties and responsibilities over the years in protecting our citizens and visitors and clearly our peers have determined we are meeting and exceeding expectations.” Vaccinations Urged for Horses as EEE Cases Rise
TALLAHASSEE — Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is urging horse owners to get their animals vaccinated following an upsurge in the number of Eastern Equine Encephalitis cases. Sentinel chickens that serve as an early warning of the existence of the disease are also being diagnosed with EEE in areas of the state that are not usually affected. So far this year there have been 16 confirmed cases of EEE in horses. While that is not an unusually high number, seven of the cases were reported on Wednesday, June 23, from counties scattered throughout the state. “Most of the cases have been in the central and north central part of the state which is normal,” Bronson said. “But we are also seeing increased EEE and West Nile Virus activity in sentinel chickens in the southern part of the state, including Martin County which has not had EEE detected in 30 years. In addition, there has been a confirmed case of EEE in a horse in both Collier and Okeechobee counties. So I want to remind horse owners of the importance of getting their animals vaccinated.” 
EEE is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is transmitted to horses by infected mosquitoes. Signs of the virus include fever, listlessness, stumbling, circling, coma and usually death. The disease is fatal in horses in 90 percent of the cases. Bronson says the majority of cases of EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases can be prevented through proper vaccinations. Horse owners are urged to check with their veterinarian to make sure their animals have received current vaccinations and booster shots against EEE and West Nile Virus, and that these shots are kept up to date. Liz Compton 5th Annual “Farm to Fuel” Summit August 11th in OrlandoTALLAHASSEE — As the nation’s worst oil spill in history threatens the Gulf Coast and its energy, tourism and fishing industries, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is continuing his efforts to promote the production of renewable energy from Florida’s vast biomass resources. Bronson is hosting the 2010 “Farm to Fuel” Summit, August 11-13, at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando to bring together hundreds of industry leaders in agriculture, energy, academia and government who want to make Florida a leader in the production of renewable energy. “Florida has the greatest potential for biomass production in the country, and the technology exists to convert our natural resources to clean, renewable energy,” Bronson said. “This event will bring together all the stakeholders so we can continue working toward the goal of reducing our dependence on foreign oil while at the same time providing another source of income for our farmers.” Mediterranean Fruit Flies Found in Palm Beach CountyTALLAHASSEE — During routine fruit fly monitoring, a trap containing suspect Mediterranean fruit flies was collected in the 6600 block of N.E. Seventh Avenue in Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, by a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inspector, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson announced today. The find was later confirmed to be wild Mediterranean fruit flies by a state entomologist. Since the initial find, over 2,000 additional traps have been set out and more wild flies have been detected. The flies have been found on traps in mango, loquat and sour orange trees. This is the first major outbreak of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, since the nine-county eradication program in 1997 and 1998. The Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) is considered the most serious of the world’s fruit fly pests due to its potential economic harm and threat to our food supply. It attacks more than 250 different fruits, vegetables and nuts, including oranges, grapefruit, lemons, apples, guava, mango, tomatoes and peppers. The flies’ eggs are laid in the fruit and develop into maggots causing the fruit to rot. They then emerge as adults once the fruit falls to the ground. Medflies breed continuously when host fruits are available. Population growth may be explosive, as females are capable of producing hundreds of eggs. Make Emergency Pet Plans for Hurricane SeasonTALLAHASSEE — Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is reminding Floridians to create an emergency response plan for their animals as hurricane season approaches. Bronson says people should not wait until the last minute to think about how they are going to evacuate or shelter their animals during a disaster. People may need to leave their homes quickly and a well-thought-out plan will help ensure the safety of animals and the peace of mind of their owners. Bronson’s Division of Animal Industry website http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai (click on “Emergency Management”) links to numerous websites that provide information about pet-friendly emergency shelters and hotels. There is also extensive emergency preparedness information for owners of large and small animals. Some tips for people with animals include: Horse Owners Urged to VaccinateBronson Urges Horse Owners to Vaccinate Animals for Mosquito-Borne Diseases; Recommends That Humans Take Steps to Protect Themselves
TALLAHASSEE — With the arrival of spring and warmer weather, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today reminded horse owners to get their animals vaccinated for mosquito borne diseases. The two principal equine diseases associated with mosquitoes are Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV), and the majority of cases of each can be prevented with proper vaccinations, according to animal health officials. “The key is to make sure that a horse has been vaccinated against these mosquito-borne diseases and to check with your veterinarian to determine whether an animal’s booster shots are up to date,” Bronson said. |
