SACRAMENTO – CDFA Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr. today recognized agricultural officials from Baja California, including B.C. Agriculture Secretary Juan Pablo Hernandez Diaz, for their commitment in the fight against Exotic Newcastle Disease.

 The Baja California Fomento Agropecuario (Department of Agriculture) has provided teams of veterinarians to assist the Exotic Newcastle Disease Task Force at commercial poultry facilities, with biosecurity training, and with outreach to Spanish-speaking populations.

 “The Baja California veterinarians have been instrumental in the success of the Task Force,” said Secretary Lyons. “We owe Secretary Hernandez Diaz and his agency a debt of gratitude. Their commitment demonstrates that the many agricultural challenges faced by our respective countries don’t discriminate according to borders and, therefore, require a regional response.”

 Secretary Lyons presented Secretary Hernandez Diaz and his team of veterinarians with commemorative plaques at a ceremony at Exotic Newcastle Disease Task Force headquarters in Garden Grove.

 CDFA and the B.C. Fomento Agropecuario signed an agreement in 2002 pledging joint cooperation and assistance on common pest and animal disease threats. 

 Exotic Newcastle Disease is a highly contagious bird disease that has resulted in the deaths of 3.5 million birds in Southern California since last fall. While a quarantine remains in effect in Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, and Santa Barbara Counties, the task force has commenced a bird health survey in the quarantine region intended to significantly reduce the size of the zone.    

 

 

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