SECRETARY WILLIAM (BILL) J. LYONS JR. TO SPEAK AT FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE SEMINAR

U.C. Davis Veterinary School Hosting Animal Health Experts

SACRAMENTO-California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr. is among the scheduled speakers at a special seminar on Foot-and-Mouth Disease, scheduled for Monday, April 23 at the U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s animal health facility at 4175 S. Laspina St. in Tulare.

The daylong session, which will also feature contributions from state, federal and U.C. Davis veterinarians, is scheduled to start at 10 AM, with Secretary Lyons’ remarks expected shortly thereafter.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to speak at a gathering of professionals in the animal health field”, said Secretary Lyons. “The current Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in the United Kingdom was a wake-up call for American agriculture. This seminar will give us a chance to review our state of preparedness and to continue searching for improvement”.

Other scheduled speakers from CDFA include State Veterinarian Dr. Richard Breitmeyer, who will discuss development of a joint foreign animal disease emergency plan, as directed by Governor Davis, in cooperation with the California Office of Emergency Services.

While Foot-and-Mouth Disease is the most devastating disease known to livestock, it presents no threat to human health. The United States hasn’t had a single case of the disease in 72 years.

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