Annual report FY 2003

Georgia Department of Agriculture
Annual Report FY2003

Georgia DepartInent of Agriculture Mission StateInent
Our mission is to provide excellence in services and regulatory functions, to protect and promote agriculture and consumer interests, and to ensure an abundance of safe food and fiber for Georgia, America and the world by using state-of-the-art
technology and a professional workforce.

:~-:Ag--jj-ep-artmenf-touclies Geo-rgiansln --

i Some Way, Every Day

~

1

The Georgia Department of Agriculture administers a variety of programs which all have a primary goal- to maintain the state's viable farm industry and protect the consuming public. These multi-faceted programs affect all 8,186,453 Georgians, as well as countless others throughout the United States and the world, where Georgia agribusiness products are consumed.
Established by the Legislature in 1874, the Georgia Department of Agriculture is the nation's oldest such agency. The primary charge of the department when it was founded was to promote agricultural improvements; gather and dispense information on crop acreage, markets and prices; inspect oil and fertilizer sold in the state; and to maintain an experimental farm.

Over the years, the department has been assigned additional responsibilities to meet the ever-changing needs of Georgia's farmers and consumers. For example, this agency has duties as varied as registering thousands of pesticides to licensing all pet stores and equine boarding facilities throughout the state.
Agriculture remains Georgia's largest industry, generating more than $5.1 billion per year in cash receipts to the state's economy. Despite all the changes in society, farming remains the foundation of the state's economic well-being.
After reviewing this annual report, it will certainly be evident that while all Georgians may not live on farms, the Georgia Department of Agriculture impacts their Hves in some way, every day.

MiLk QuaLity

Grocery Stores, 11'1Store Delis, Bakeries, Food Processors, Bottling PLants

Egg Inspection

State Weights and Measures Lab

~Plont Food. F"d and Grain. Labs

GasoLine,

Pesticide & Exterminating Licensing

Antifreeze, LP Gas Quality

~ Animal H,olth, P"

Store Licensing, Meat

NurselY licensing and

~ Inspection, Livestock

Inspection

. " . " sales

Farmer's Markets, Fruit Stan.ds, MobiLe Meat Markets, Seafood DeaLers

CODlDlissioner Fills Diversified Role

As Chief Executive Officer of the Georgia Department ofAgriculture, Commissioner Tommy Irvin is responsible for administering state laws affecting every area of Georgians' lives. Under the Department of Agriculture's jurisdiction are the production, processing, labeling and selling of food-related products, the animal industry, standards for weights and measures, inspections for the quality and quantity of fuel, the pest control industry, the companion animal industry, the equine industry, and the plant industry.
Irvin also serves as the principal spokesman for Georgia farm producers and a key defender of consumers' rights.
The Commissioner of Agriculture's duties also include serving as an actual or ex-officio officer of many state, regional and national organizations.
These include Chair of the Georgia Development Authority and the Georgia Seed Development Commission, vice-chair of the Georgia Tobacco Community Development Board, a member of the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission, the Georgia Building Authority, the Georgia Rural Development Council, vice-chair of the Georgia State Employee Benefits Plan Council, and an ex-officio member of eleven Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commissions.
His leadership extends into the national and international arenas as a professional in agriculture. He is the only Georgian to serve as president of his professional organization, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). He has served on the organization's internal committees on pesticide regulation, animal health and plant industry. He also is president, for the second time, of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (SASDA) and serves as treasurer. He is a founder and twice president of the South-

Commissioner Tommy Irvin
ern United States Trade Association (SUSTA), an organization which promotes the export of southern food and agricultural products.
Under his direction, the department pursues the promotion of Georgia products into markets around the globe and follows his lead in opening markets to agricultural products. He was the first state agriculture leader to propose trade with the former Soviet Union and led an export marketing mission to China shortly after the China Accords with the United States were signed. He has led Georgia agribusinesses into successful marketing in Cuba and continues efforts with other state and federal agencies to bring potential major agriculture buyers from other nations to the U.S.
In his 35th year in office, Commissioner Irvin continues to reside on a farm in Northeast Georgia from where he travels throughout the state to get a first-hand view of conditions in the field and to listen to the ideas of those whose lives are affected by policies and how they are implemented by government. He keeps an open door policy with his staff and the public to which partially can be attributed to the ability of his department to respond to food safety and security issues long before they were defined by others.

ii

Contents

Administration Division

1

Accounting Office.......................................................................................................................... .. ... 1

Budget Office

... 5

Procurement Office.......................................................................................................................... ... 5

Personnel Office

... 5

Information Technology

6

Public Affairs Division

7

Press Office

7

Consumer Services Section.............................................................................................................. ... 7

Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin

... 11

AniInal Protection Section

12

Marketing Division

13

Commodities

.., 13

Bonding Section

... 13

International Trade......................................................................................................................... ... 14

Warehouse Division

:

14

Farmer's Markets

15

Consumer Protection Field Forces

16

Food Safety

... 16

Grocery Stores.............................................................................................................................. ... 16

Dairy Division......................................................................................................................... ... 16

Processing Plants........................................................................................................................... ... 17

Fuel & Measures........................................................................................................................... ... 17

Plant Industry

18

Structural Pest Control................................................................................................................... ... 18

Plant Protection Division

18

Pesticide Division (non-structural)

20

TtftonAgriculturalI...ab

23

Animal Industry

24

Animal Health

26

Livestock Market News Service

29

Poultry Market News Service

31

Equine Health Section

... 33

LivestockIPoultry Field Forces

37

Meat Inspection Section

41

III

The Adrrtinistration Division provides and coordinates essential support services for all divisions within the Department of Agriculture. The Adrrtinistration Division includes the Administrative Support Team, Accounting, Budget, Personnel, Procurement and Information Technology.
Administration Division

I----i: I Administrative Support Team

I I I I I I I I I I I
Accounting

I
Budget

I
Personnel

I
Procurement

I
Information Technology

The Assistant Commissioner for Administration manages the various sections within the Administration Division and oversees the daily operations of the department. The Adrrtinistrative Support Team is responsible for three areas:
Legal and Regulatory ComplianceThe Department regulates scores of industries and activities. While the majority of those businesses and individuals comply with Georgia regulatory law and the Department's rules and regulations, occasionally there are violations and the Department takes adrrtinistrative action. During the year 2002-2003, the Department initiated 240 civil cases. Most cases are settled with consent orders and violators are brought into compliance with state law. Monetary penalties collected as a result of consent orders in 2002-2003 amounted to $504,096.74.
Open Records Requests - Citizens have a right to access public records maintained by the Department. During fiscal year 2002-2003, the Department received approximately 800 requests for public records.

Building and Telecommunications Management - This vitally important section directs internal operations involving telecommunications, space management, travel, building maintenance, and works closely with the Georgia Building Authority to reorganize and optimize existing workspace, while assuring that the current work flow is maintained.
Accounting Office
The Accounting Office is responsible for the Department's financial record-keeping, the collection and disbursement of all funds and the furnishing of fiscal information to the public and concerned government agencies.
This section also audits companies and commodity producers for compliance with the State user-fee assessment laws. Accounting manages the Department's postal and payroll functions as well. Department funds are received from the state's General Appropriations, from certain federal grants, and from collections made by the Department as prescribed by the state constitution. These funds include fees,

1

fines, licenses and assessments. Accounting records are checked by the
state Audit Department at the close of each fiscal year to ensure that expenditures are within limits of the approved budget and that allotments are supported by proper vouchers. Guidelines for federally-funded programs are also checked for compliance.
To help carry out its duties, the Accounting Office utilizes the PeopleSoft accounting system used by other State agencies.
In addition to the Department's operations, the Accounting Office provides financial ser-

vices and maintains fiscal records for the eleven Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commissions, the Georgia Seed Development Commission, and the Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation of Georgia, Inc.
Total expenditures for FY 2003 were $55,742,696.00. Of this, $40,039,095.00 came from State Appropriations and $15,703,601.00 from Federal and other sources.
A total of $9,482,154.00 was received in revenue collections in FY 2003 and transferred to the state's Fiscal Division.

Georgia Department of Agriculture Stafe Revenue Collections Fund
FY03

Receipts
Plant Industry Revenue Fertilizer Licenses Lime Licenses Seed Dealers Licenses Fertilizer Inspection Fees (Tonnage) Fertilizer Registrations & Fees Free Sales Certificate-Feed Lime Registration & Fees Seed Testing - Atlanta Seed Testing - Tifton Soil Amendment Fees
Total Plant Industry Revenue
Animal Industry Revenue Poultry Market Dealers License Meat Licenses Veterinarian Health Certificates
Total Animal Industry Revenue
Consumer Protection Revenue Soft Drink Licenses Fish Dealer Licenses Dairy Licenses Mobile Meat Licenses Free Trade Certificate - CIS Organic Certification Registration
Total Consumer Protection Revenue

Balance
27,500.00 4,700.00 12,850.00 455,576.14 45,025.00 1,080.00 6,850.00 10,170.00 52,069.00 10,950.00
626,770.14
3,150.00 830.00
8,463.00
12,443.00
1,230.00 31,490.00 15,736.32
8,225.00 4,575.00
350.00
61,606.32

2

Entomology & Pesticides Revenue Pesticide Licenses Structural Pest Control Licenses Timber Licenses Pesticide Registrations SPC Exam Fees
Total Entomology & Pesticides Revenue
Miscellaneous Receipts Weighers Licenses Antifreeze Licenses Copy Fees Court HearinglWitness Fees Other Fees Fines Fines - Hearing
Total Miscellaneous
Market Bulletin Subscriptions Out of State Subscriptions
Total Market Bulletin Subscriptions
Regional Market Fees Atlanta Market Fees Augusta Market Fees Columbus Market Fees Macon Market Fees Savannah Market Fees Thomasville Market Fees
Total Regional Market Fees
Small Market Fees Dillard Market Fees Cairo Market Fees Cordele Market Fees Donalson Market Fees Ellijay Market Fees Glenville Market Fees Moultrie Market Fees Pelham Market Fees Tifton Market Fees Valdosta Market Fees Other Small Market Fees
Total Small Market Fees
3

196,980.05 123,650.00
1,500.00 1,146,540.00
25,715.00
1,494,385.05
16,925.00 5,775.00 2,884.03
264.98 1,450.00 26,103.30 504,096.74
557,499.05
19,112.00
19,112.00
4,903,271.01 304,647.29 209,876.30 317,563.16 150,290.87 178,431.33
6,064,079.96
1,200.00 30,254.00 85,414.35 9,585.00 2,500.00 12,902.00 94,200.00 19,855.00 32,140.00 30,395.00
600.00
319,045.35

Weights & MeasureslWarehouse
Warehouse & Grain Dealers Licenses Weights & Measures Lab (Hourly Rate) Total Weights & MeasureslWarehouse
Animal Protection Revenue
Aviary Licenses Animal Protection Stable Licenses Total Animal Protection Revenue
Feed Division Revenue
Feed License Feed Registrations Total Feed Division Revenue Total Receipts *Gross Revenue* Total Other Receipts Total Revenue
Operating Expenses Operating Transfers Out
Operating Transfers Out Total Operating Transfers Out
Total Operating Expenses Total Miscellaneous Expenses Total Expenses 1,2 & 3 Total Other Expenses Total Expenses *Net surplus <Deficit>*
4

104,500.00 84,566.35 189,066.35
45,650.00 293,660.00 158,350.00 497,660.00
85,240.00 74,420.00 159,660.00 10,001,327.22 10,001,327.22
0.00 10,001,327.22
9,482,154.08 9,482,154.08
9,482,154.08 0.00
9,482,154.08 0.00
9,482,154.08 519,173.14

Budget Office
In FY 2003 Budget Management operated within budgetary guidelines in all object classes of expenditures as designated by the state legislature.

trucks used by inspectors of food stores, service stations and plant and animal related industries. Special purpose trucks are used in scale testing and fuel and LP gas tank calibrations. During FY 2003, department vehicles were driven a total of 5,344,327 miles at a cost of $683,171.00 or an average cost of $.078 per mile.

Budget Summary Fiscal Year 2003

Item

Bud~eted

Expended

Total Funds $55,742,696 $55,681,787

State Funds

44,039,095 44,023,428

Federal Funds 8,214,268

8,114,775

Other Funds

3,489,333

3,543,583

Procurement Office
The Procurement Office handles purchase orders, stocks supplies and coordinates the Department's motor vehicle fleet. It also coordinates certain printing and graphk design services.
The Procurement Office processed 4,319 purchase orders in FY 2003. These included orders for supplies and materials, service and maintenance contracts, equipment and vehicle purchases, publications and printing, as well as construction projects. Ninety-five percent of the orders were handled internally; the remaining 5 percent was handled by the Department of Administrative Services.
A centralized supply room and distribution center in the Department's administration building allows inventory control of all supplies, including items for the Department's five district offices.
All supply transactions are maintained on a computerized inventory system. This provides daily control of cost and quantity of supplies on hand and reorders criteria.
The Department operated 265 vehicles in FY 2003. Most of these were sedans and pickup

Personnel Office
The Personnel Office provides a comprehensive program of recruitment, position classification, and employee benefits for approximately 878 Department of Agriculture employees. There is a growing emphasis on providing more and better services to employees, through on-line Open Enrollment of employee benefits.
Major changes in Personnel during the past year occurred with an emphasis on in-house Applicant Tracking in recruitment, Workforce and Strategic Planning, PerformancePlus, Total Rewards Compensation, and a newer statewide computer system, PeopleSoft, for Human Resources and Payroll.
Employees were evaluated on their performance of their duties and responsibilities, but due to theinability to fund pay increases, no employee received a salary increase for the Fiscal Year 2003.
With the Merit System Reform Act of 1996, all new hires are in the Unclassified Service.
Benefits Program Offers More
The Georgia Department of Community Health offers 11 different types of health coverage. Additional Flexible Benefits are offered through the Georgia Merit System in Employee Life, Spouse Life, Child Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, 7-day and 30-day Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Legal, Dental and Long Term Care. During May of each year, employees have the opportunity to reevaluate their needs and make changes in their choices for the current year. All administration of the above benefits are coordinated through the Personnel Office.
The Deferred Compensation Program offers both a 457 plan and 401K plan, with approxi-

5

mately 186 employees participating.

Personnel Statistics

Agriculture Employees

878

2003 New Hires in Agriculture

59

for seeing that its operations are consistent with long term strategy. The CIa sits on the IT Steering Committee and is a member of the Department's Strategic Planning Core Team.
Day to day operations is divided among four units:

2003 Promotions in Agriculture

79

2003 Separations in Agriculture

37

2003 Retirements

21

End User Support Services is responsible for assisting all employees with routine computer usage, deploying and maintaining personal computers, installing and supporting software and developing training programs. The Department currently has about 350 desktop and 150 notebook computers and has more than 30 business critical software applications.

Information Technology
In 1996 the Computer Services unit was separated from the Budget Office to create a new Office of Information Technology (OIT). Since then it has grown from a staff of three to 16 budgeted positions with a current operating budget of $664,000.
Governance In order to insure the Department's technol-
ogy initiatives are tightly integrated with its business strategy, the OIT is overseen by an Information Technology Steering Committee (ITSC) consisting of each Assistant Commissioner, the Chief Information Officer, and other senior department managers appointed by the Commissioner. The ITSC meets bi-monthly to discuss issues, set priorities and monitor progress on important projects.
Structure and Operations The OIT is under the direction of a Chief
Information Officer (CIa), who is responsible

Network and Systems Support maintains the "behind the scenes" infrastructure that the Department relies on. This includes a variety of file, print and application servers, the electronic mail system, local and wide area networks, and remote access services. The Department's main office, district field offices, laboratories, and major farmer markets are all networked with better than 99.97% uptime. This unit also ensures that all data stored on its servers is properly backed up and procedures are in place to restore services quickly in the event of a disaster.
The Software Development unit creates custom programs to meet the unique needs of the Department's business. It also maintains critical databases of information that is shared by different operating programs.
OIT also has a dedicated Information Security Officer, who monitors the Department's systems against constantly growing threats, as well as operating information security awareness program for Department employees.

6

Our Public Affairs Division covers consumer services, media relations, web sites and printed as well as on-line publication of the Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin. It coordinates all departmental publications that are disseminated to the public. From notifying the public of recalled food or tainted gasoline via the news media, to responding to consumer complaints regarding their termite contracts or students' requests for information for their Georgia history projects, it is the first point of contact for thousands of Georgians. It maintains a toll-free consumer line, plan special events for the agency, such as Agriculture Day in Georgia and publish the bi-weekly tabloid, the Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin, that meets the needs of both farmers and consumers.
Press Office
When reporters need information about agriculture in Georgia or the duties and responsibilities of the department of Agriculture, they contact our Press Office. Our media specialists work diligently to provide information and set up interviews to meet reporters' deadlines. Our press office maintains contact with wire services, reporters, editors, and producers to make sure the public stays informed about food recalls, store closings, enforcement actions, settlement conferences, penalties imposed, quarantines, disease outbreaks, and other department activities and items of interest to the agricultural community and Georgia's consumers.
Our Press Office has earned a reputation as being one of the most helpful in all of state government when it comes to assisting reporters and providing the information the public needs to know. The office notifies the media of press releases and breaking news through e-mails, faxes, wire services, and telephone calls. Each

news release is examined and targeted to the audience where it will have the most impact and reach the largest number of people.
With degrees in journalism and agriculture, our media specialists anticipate and answer the questions reporters and the public will ask. Researching and writing press releases requires working with all divisions of the Georgia Department of Agriculture as well as other state and federal agencies. In 2003 the office issued 85 press releases as well as numerous media advisories about Commissioner Irvin's public appearances. The office handled approximately 2,080 media inquiries in FY2003.
Consumer Services
Consumer Calls Handled Here Incoming consumer calls and letters are
answered in this office. Callers requiring technical assistance are then transferred to the appropriate division for assistance. The Department maintains a toll-free Ag Consumer Line which can be reached from anywhere in Georgia by calling 1-800-282-5852.
Brochures, booklets and articles are mailed on request to consumer groups, schools and churches. An extensive document library, currently being computerized, is maintained on agriculture and virtually every subject based on previous consumer inquiries. Regardless of the subject matter, consumer requests for information are responded to.
InternallExternal Publications Produced This office also prepares the department's
annual report; the GAD-About; Georgia Agricultural Facts; Think Agriculture - Your Future Depends On It, Protecting the Consumer and Promoting the Farming Sector and other educational and statistical publications.

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Ag in the Classroom The National Ag in the Classroom (AITC)
project was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture to provide accurate and relevant information about agriculture to America's public school students. It is Now a major program with activities in all 50 states, as well as Guam and the Virgin Islands. AITC has the support and involvement of national agricultural organizations, educator groups and government.
Realizing the need to educate Georgia students about agriculture and seeing the success of this program nationwide, Georgia's education and agribusiness communities put forth a cooperative effort to implement the program here in 1983. More than 70 percent of the state's school systems now use Ag in the Classroom lesson plans.
Press and Consumer Services has played a pivotal role in the success of AITC in Georgia, having distributed more than 495,000 publica-

tions to teachers, students and other interested parties.
Among the most popular publications requested by teachers and students are the Department's Agricultural Heritage of Georgia, Think Agriculture-Your Future Depends On It, Protecting the Consumer and Promoting the Farming Sector and the Georgia Farm Agtivity Coloring Book. All of these materials are listed in the AITC curriculum and national resource guide.
The Georgia AITC program is aided by a grant from the Georgia General Assembly. Its board is made up of members from the Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Council on Economics, Berry College and the University of Georgia.
Speakers Bureau Spreads the Word Staff members participate in consumer fairs,
conduct building tours and make presentations which outline the various services provided by the department.

FY 2003 Public Presentations
Cook County Georgia Agriculture Appreciation Week - Adel Exchange Club Fair of SW Ga. - Albany
13th Biennial Research Symposium - Atlanta Antoine Graves Sr. Citizens - Atlanta Benjamin Mays High School - Atlanta
ChinalUS Professional Exchange Program - Atlanta Criminal Justice Coordinating Council - Atlanta Georgia Agriculture Day - Atlanta Greater Atlanta Youth Walk - Atlanta Hambrick Elementary School - Atlanta
I Am Georgia Statewide Community Outreach Initiative - Atlanta Multicultural Festival - Atlanta
Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals - Atlanta Yugoslavian Delegation - Atlanta Ga.lCarolina State Fair - Augusta
15th Annual Farmer's Appreciation Day - Blue Ridge Clarkston/Dekalb Economic Conference - Clarkston
Ga. Legislative Black Caucus - College Park MANNRS - 18th Annual Career Fair - College Park
South Fulton 4-H Group - College Park Greater Columbus Fair - Columbus
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Spring FunFair & Expo - Conyers Cumming County Fair & Festival - Cumming
Columbia Middle School - Decatur DeKalb Down Home Blues Festival - Decatur
Renfroe Middle School - Decatur Elberton 12-County Fair - Elberton Fayette County Fair - Fayetteville Georgia Agriculture in the Classroom Council - Forest Park
Team Agriculture - Fort Valley Hispanic Health Fair - Gainesville
Jones County Lions - Gray Columbia County Fair - Grovetown Georgia Mountain Fair - Hiawassee Kennesaw State University -Career Fair - Kennesaw North Georgia State Fair - Kennesaw Boys & Girls Clubs of West Georgia - LaGrange Make A Difference Day - Senior Expo - LaGrange
Family Expo 2003 - LaGrange Gwinnett County Livestock Fair - Lawrenceville McKendree Elementary School - Lawrenceville
Georgia State Fair - Macon Ocmulgee Indian Celebration - Macon Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals - Marietta
Team Agriculture - Martinez Georgia National Fair - Perry Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition - Perry
Coosa Valley Fair - Rome Sapelo Island Cultural Festival - Sapelo Island
Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair - Statesboro E. L. Miller Elementary School Career Day - Stone Mountain
Rowland Elementary School - Stone Mountain Fiesta De Pueblo - Tifton
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Division Spearheads Ag Day Celebration The Press and Consumer Services Division spearheaded the state's celebration of National
Agriculture Week which is observed the third week in March. Our theme for 2003 was "From the Mountains to the Sea: Georgia's Agricultural Landscape".
The Department received more than 1200 entries for our agriculture day contest and hosted more than 100 winners, family and dignitaries at our state capitol. Sponsors of this event included the Ag in the Classroom, Inc., Georgia Council on Economic Education, The World of Coca-Cola and Mayfield Dairies.

From the Mountains to the Sea Georgia's Agricultural Landscape"
Agriculture day March 27, 2003

Calls Received Letters Received E-mails Received Speaking Presentations/Exhibits AITC Publications & exhibit materials distributed

FY02
125,357 356 420 57
327,128

FY03
158,050 678 315 72
495,648

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Media Networks Maintained Radio releases are sent to four networks
serving more than 200 stations. News releases are sent to 300 daily and weekly newspapers, wire services and several agricultural trade pu blications.
A weekly consumer column and feature story are provided to the Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin and a weekly question and answer column, entitled "Consumer Q's", is sent to 59 daily and weekly newspapers with a combined circulation of more than 450,000.
The Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin has served as a medium of exchange for Georgia's farmers and consumers since its beginning in 1917. Throughout its 86-year history, the non-profit periodical publication was mailed weekly; however, the publication was reduced to a biweekly schedule by the Georgia General Assembly in its 2003 session.
Georgia residents may subscribe to the Market Bulletin free of charge, but out-of-state subscribers must pay a $20 annual fee. During fiscal year 2003, the Bulletin distributed an

average of 182,699 copies per week with each issue containing an average of 1595 ads.
Fiscal year 2003 also marked the end of the
Bulletin sfirst three-year automated purge
process which was implemented in March 2000 to more effectively and efficiently control the publication's circulation. This procedure has helped the Bulletin to reduce its printing and postage costs and ensure the publication is mailed only to those who want to receive it.
In addition to the free adveltising available to farmers and consumers, the Bulletin offers a variety of information about agriculture and the department, as well as such regular features as a recipe column and gardening column to promote Georgia products.
Several special editions are published throughout the year, such as the biannual Farmland Editions published each March and September, and quarterly equine editions, which feature listings of equine boarding and breeding facilities located throughout the state. Monthly handicraft editions also are published, which feature items handcrafted by the advertisers. Throughout the spring and summer months, several "pick-your-own produce" listings are included in the Bulletin to provide consumers with the location of farms where they can pick their own fresh produce. And during the Christmas season, a list of the state's Choose-and-Cut Christmas tree farms is featured. These have proved to be some of the Bulletin's more popular services which benefit both farmers and consumers.

lJ

Animal' Protection

The Vision ofthe Animal Protection Section:

,Companion animals will be disease free

Companion animals will be protectedfrom abuse

80%

and neglect

60%

s Georgia agribusiness and private citizens will

40%

be better educated and informed on the Animal

20%

Protection Section and agency functions

0%

o Pet Dealers o Kennels
Bird Dealers
IIIAnimal Shelters

The Animal Protection Section licensed approximately 3,000 facilities and collected $339,310.00 in license fee money in FY 2003.
The program is responsible for licensing and inspecting bird dealers, pet dealers (including breeders), kennels, and animal shelters. The Animal Protection Section is responsible for enforcing the Bird Dealer Licensing Act and the Animal Protection Act. The Bird Dealer legislation was enacted in 1981 to protect humans and Georgia's $2.84 billion poultry industry from the potential transmission of disease by pet birds. The Animal Protection legislation was enacted in 1986 to prevent unhealthy animals from being sold to the public or placed for adoption and to protect animals from being abused and neglected while awaiting sale or adoption. The provisions of the Act apply to companion animals such as dogs, cats, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibians and hamsters.
The Animal Protection Act was amended by the 2000 Session of the General Assembly to make it a felony to knowingly and maliciously cause death or physical harm to an animal by rendering a part of such animal's body useless or by seriously disfiguring such animal.

Staff and Duties The Animal Protection Program currently
has five employees who provide administrative support for the field force personnel. There are 15 field inspectors who work the 159 counties in Georgia. The state is divided into 13 territories with a range of 173-297 facilities in an inspection area. Animal Shelters are inspected three times a year, or as needed. Bird dealers, kennels and pet dealers are inspected once a year, or as needed.
The Animal Protection Inspectors perform many duties from educating the public and license holders about the Animal Protection Act and Bird Dealers Licensing Act and associated rules and regulations, to performing inspections, working complaints and serving the public in times of man-made and natural disaster. The Animal Protection Section investigated 2,554 complaints during FY 2003. The Animal Protection Section performed 613 pre-license inspections in FY 2003. Animal Protection inspectors also assist local officials and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with animal cruelty investigations.

12

~arketing Division

The increasing diversity of Georgia's farm the Marketing Division. This includes enforce-

products is opening new opportunities for ex- ment and licensing guidelines related to the U.S.

panding sales of the state's commodities. In

Certification Mark owned by the Department for

order to help growers take advantage of these usage of the word VIDALIA.

potential markets, the Marketing Division pro-
motes demand for and sales of the state's agricul- Commodities

tural commodities in the United States and

Food and Nutrition

abroad. These efforts are supported by the

Our home economist tests and develops

Department's network of State Farmers' Mar- recipes for the various Agricultural Commodity

kets, Commodity Promotion Programs and

Commissions as well as testing the reader reci-

International TradelDomestic Marketing Office. pes for the Farmers and Consumers Market

Bulletin. She is prepared to answer consumer

Area Marketing Coordinators

questions regarding food preparation, food safety

These individuals are assigned to specific and nutritional concerns.

areas throughout the state where they assist

producers in the areas of grading, packaging,

Commodity Commissions

quality and inspection of their products. They

We administer 11 state Agricultural Com-

also act as liaisons between producers and

modity Commissions. These are farmer funded,

buyers to better assist the producers in locating self-help programs. The assessments support

potential markets for their products. The Coordi- programs in the areas of research, education and

nators also assist with promotional activities

promotion on behalf of the respective commod-

throughout the state, and gather all information ity.

relative to updating the Georgia Fruit and

The Commodity Commissions are as

Vegetable Directory each year. They investigate follows:

and gather information on nonpayment complaints and help check throughout the year to

Apples Canola

ensure that dealers in agricultural products are

Corn

properly licensed and bonded. Additional duties include setting up and attending Department displays at fairs and other various promotional events, and coordinating different information and assistance to State Farmers' Market Managers.

Cotton Eggs Milk
Peach Pecans Soybeans Sweet Potatoes

Tobacco

Regulatory Duties

Areas regulated within the Marketing

Bonding Section

Division, include requirements of the "Dealers in Agricultural Products Act", "Georgia Grain Dealer Act" and Commercial Agricultural Storage Facilities. Vidalia onion growers/packers are required to register prior to March 1 each year with this office. All other requirements of the "Vidalia Onion Act of1986" are regulated by

The Bonding Section is responsible for handling all records and matters relating to agricultural surety bonds. Various Georgia laws require that certain businesses or individuals purchasing agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, eggs and pecans) from or selling for Georgia producers or storing certain agricultural

13

products (see warehousing in list below) maintain adequate surety bond coverage. The purpose of this coverage is to provide limited financial protection for our Georgia producers or the individuals storing the product. The following businesses and individuals are required to maintain surety bond coverage with the Department.
Cotton Dealers Cotton Warehouses Grain Warehouses Grain Dealers Dealers in Agricultural Products Brokers/Sales Agents of Agricultural Products Distributors of Agricultural Products Chain Stores Livestock!Equine Sales Establishments Livestock!Equine Dealers Livestock!Equine BrokerslLivestock Sales Agents The Bonding Section checks the bonds to ensure adequate coverage for licensing and that it is issued by an approved company, coordinates with federal bonding agencies, investigates nonpayment complaints, performs audits, and handles bond claims. Any Georgia producer who wants to verify surety bond coverage of a buyer, make a bond claim or has a nonpayment complaint can contact the Bonding Office for assistance.

finance, logistics, labeling issues, marketing barriers and restrictions to trade.
The International Trade Section actively markets Georgia agricultural products overseas. With offices in Atlanta and Brussels, it efficiently links local producers with foreign buyers and distributors through trade shows, trade missions, marketing promotions, trade leads and other promotional activities. International marketing professionals are available to assist Georgia food and agricultural companies in entering new foreign markets and expanding existing markets for their products.
The International Trade Section publishes the monthly International Advertiser, which is distributed through our European office to buyers interested in Georgia products, as well as the "International Upd'ate", which is distributed to Georgia exporters to keep them informed of upcoming trade shows, international seminars and newsworthy features regarding international trade. Trade leads are faxed daily to companies as they are compiled from direct inquiries, trade delegation contacts, trade mission contacts, our Brussels office of Foreign Agriculture Service contacts.
Warehouse Division

International Trade
Our International Trade Section provides prompt assistance to Georgia companies exporting food and agricultural products, as well as importing companies interested in purchasing food and agricultural products from the state of Georgia. Last year, Georgia's food and agricultural exports were slightly over $1 billion. The section maintains a computerized database of international importers and Georgia exporters and offers current lists of Georgia agricultural food suppliers. It also provides consulting services to new export companies, providing advice on a variety of international issues including:

The regulatory functions of the state warehouse division were established by Georgia Law in 1953, and codified under a.c.G.A. 10-4-1. All commercial agricultural storage facilities in the state are licensed, bonded and inspected for inventory quantity and quality compliance, which protects the producers of grain, cotton and tobacco storing their commodities at those facilities. This section also regulates the Georgia Grain Dealer Act, which requires bond coverage protection for grain payments to producers.
Licenses issued: State Bonded Warehouse (cotton and grain), Grain Dealer, Tobacco Warehouse, Tobacco Dealer, Non-Auction Tobacco Dealer and Carry-Over Tobacco Warehouse Operator.

14

Farmers'Markets
Our Markets Section administers sixteen State Farmers' Markets which form the network for sales of fruits and vegetables throughout Georgia and the Southeast. These facilities maintain a viable market for Georgia farmers and farm products in the communities where they are located. State Farmers' Markets are responsible for more than $800 million in sales each year.
Atlanta Farmers' Market Augusta Farmers' Market Columbus Farmers' Market Macon Farmers' Market Savannah Farmers' Market Thomasville Farmers' Market Albany Farmers' Market (Seasonal) Cairo Farmers' Market (Seasonal) Cordele Farmers' Market (Seasonal) Donalsonville Farmers' Market (Seasonal) Glennville Farmers' Market (Seasonal) Jesup Farmers' Market (Seasonal) Moultrie Farmer' Market (Seasonal) Pelham Farmers' Market (Seasonal) Tifton Farmers' Market (Seasonal) Valdosta Farmers' Market (Seasonal)
Our seasonal markets are located in the growing areas of the state. Growers from the surrounding areas utilize these markets during peak harvest seasons. These markets operate on a limited basis during the shipping periods.

Farmers' Markets Sales for the past 5 years

1,200
1,000
~800
0
=600
.~
~400

....
/
/

.....
V
/

200

0

1998

I-+-Sales 512,081,567

1999 520,911,754

2000

2001

578,681,647 843,626,167

Sales

2002

2003

812,692,993 1,036,352,187

15

Our Consumer Protection Division administers state laws, rules and regulations for retail and wholesale grocery stores, retail seafood stores and places in the business of food processing and plants which are currently required to obtain a license from the Commissioner under any other provision of law: bakeries, confectionaries, fruit, nuts and vegetables stores and places of business, and similar estabHshments, mobile or permanent, engaged in sale of food primarily for consumption off the premises. This does not include "food services establjshment" (Restaurants and Institutions).
Food Safety
This division is responsible for enforcing state laws, rules and regulations by conducting sanitation inspection of retail food stores, salvage food operations, mobile meat trucks and rolling stores to insure good manufacturing practices. Various tests are performed during inspection incluiling fat tests to check fat content in ground beef, candHng shell eggs for wholesomeness, and black light for signs of rodent infestation.
It also checks scanners and scales to insure

accuracy of pricing and weight and the shelves of retail and wholesale stores for out of date food products.
Dairy Division
The responsibility of the Dairy Section is to enforce federally mandated programs of inspection and sampling of dairy farms and dairy processing plants. This includes out-of-state milk products shipped to Georgia along with supporting segments of the industry, such as; tankers, route trucks and warehouses. Retail establishments not involved in the production or processing of dairy or related products are not a pal1 of these programs.
Grocery Stores
Our Consumer Protection Division receives consumer inquiries concerning sanitary conditions relative to food and food borne illness. It reviews blueprints of retail operations prior to their construction as well as reviewing sandwich and retail store labels to insure compliance with the laws, rules and regulations as set forth by the state and federal mandate.

Food Establishments Licensed Food Establishments Inspected Food Items Scanned at checkouts Consumer Food Packages Weighed Food EstabHshments Scales Checked Eggs Inspected (Dozen) Food Samples Collected Food Labels Reviewed Food Establishment Violations Consumer Complaints Investigated

FY2002
15,359 55,820 200,359 225,572 70,600 123,774 4,664
466 45,075
531
16

FY2003
16,642 56,298 207,571 215,398 68,510 118,860 4,744
513 43,231
1,036

Processing Plants
We are responsible for the inspection of food storage warehouses, wholesale bakeries, bottled water and flavored drink processors, seafood processors, and wholesale fish dealers and sanitation in establishments where food is handled and manufactured. We review food labels of processing facilities to insure compliance with laws, rules and regulations. Our inspectors collect water, food, and pesticide samples from food establishments to insure a safe and wholesome food supply and compliance with departmental regulations. While the processing of meat and poultry products is not an area of our responsibility, the processing and distribution of seafood products in Georgia is covered by the Division. Our inspectors have received required training to inspect and Certify Shellfish Plants under the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. Our Division also conducts HACCP and Food Contract inspections through Partnership Agreements and Cooperative Programs with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. These inspection records are maintained on file for the Consumer Protection Division.

quantity of motor fuels and the enforcement of grain, cotton and tobacco laws.
Administration Programs administered by the fuel and
measures division include, the regulatory field inspection, the state fuel oil laboratory, state weights laboratory and the state warehouse division.
Fuel and measures licenses and registrations include, certified public weigher, propane and scale mechanic licenses, grain moisture meter registrations and operator's Hcenses, and service station and antifreeze registrations.
Fuel and measures' field operations include testing accuracy and certification of commercial weighing devices, retail gas pumps, propane dispensers and wholesale petroleum meters.
Fuel Oil Laboratory The Fuel Oil Laboratory tests samples of all
motor fuels sold in Georgia for purity, performance, octane rating and other quality standards. Kerosene and antifreeze are analyzed for product safety and performance requirements. In addition, the fuel lab conducts cubic measure of petroleum transport tankers.

Fuel & Measures
Our State regulatory authority for weights and measures was originally issued by Congress in 1781 under the Articles of Confederation which mandated each state maintain uniformity in weight and measure standards. Georgia petroleum laws were enacted in 1927 and originally administered by the Department of Revenue before being transferred to the Department of Agriculture in 1960.
Through regulatory inspections, the Fuel and Measures Division protects consumers by verifying the accuracy of weights and measures used in commercial transactions, the quality and

Weight and Measures Laboratory The State Weights and Measures Laboratory
is a N.I.S.T. traceable metrology facility. The lab conducts both precision and tolerance calibration testing in the area of mass (weight). They also conduct volumetric testing of metal provers and length testing of steel tapes and rigid rules. These services are provided for state agencies, licensed scale companies and private industry. Some other areas that the lab is involved in are testing 3000lb to 5000lb weight carts, overseeing the states grain moisture testing program and conducting a monthly inspection of lottery balls for the Georgia Lottery Commission.

17

Our Plant Industry Division encompasses Pesticide Certification and Enforcement, Structural Pest Control, Nursery and Plant Protection, Apiary Industry, Boll Weevil Eradication, Entomology and Chemical Labs, Seed Labs, Seed Development Commission, Plant, Food, Feed and Grain, and Plant Industry Inspection Forces.
Structural Pest Control
We regulate structural pest control companies, providing inspection services of treated structures for consumers. Additionally we provide consumer advice and information sheets on various structural pests. Along with licensing pest control companies, we test pest control operators and technicians.
As part of this regulatory effort and as a service to Georgia customers we will, under certain conditions, conduct inspections of structures that have been treated by pest control companies. These conditions are as follows:
1. If a structure is under current contract with a licensed pest control company for the control of wood destroying organisms such as termites, wood boring beetles, or wood decay fungi. This does not include carpenter ants or carpenter bees.
2. If a structure has been treated for a wood destroying organism by a licensed pest control company within the last 5 years or the contract has expired within the last two years, whichever is longer.
3. If there is a conflict between two licensed pest control companies
FY03

Licensed Pest Control Companies Certified Operators Registered Employees Inspections Violations Warning Letters Orders of the Commissioner

1048 1763 3904 3995 1656
90 66

Plant Protection Section
The Plant Protection Section is an integral part of Georgia's diverse agricultural plant industries and economy. The Plant Protection Section employs 22 Inspectors, 4 secretaries and 3 managers. The duties of this section range from inspection of nursery stock to identification of plant pests to issuance of Phytosanitary Certificates that allow plants, fruits and vegetables to be exported to states such as California and to other countries.
Live Plant GrowerlDealer Licensing One of the primary responsibilities of the
Plant Protection Section is to license and inspect plant nurseries and any other business that sell live plants. The horticultural industry is very important to Georgia's economy, contributing over $250 million in cash receipts annually. This inspection program helps to ensure that plants for sale are properly maintained, healthy, and free from insect, disease, and weed pests. During a typical visit, Plant Protection Section inspectors are on the lookout for new and invasive pests and to ensure that Federally Listed Noxious Weeds are not being sold. In 2002, the Plant Protection Section licensed over 7,000 businesses that sell live plants in Georgia and conducted over 11,000 inspections of these businesses.
Plant Protection through Pest Detection The Plant Protection Section works very
closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in protecting Georgia's agricultural resources through early detection and remediation of exotic invasive species and introduced pests. Since the passage of the federal Agriculture Bioterrorism Act of 2002, Plant Protection Section inspectors are also on the lookout for organisms that may be used as an agroten'or threat to U.S. agriculture. Earlier this year, Plant Protection Section personnel worked with USDA officials when Ralstonia

18

solanacearum race 3 biovar 2, a bacterial pathogen listed in the Agriculture Bioterrorism Act of 2002 as a select agent, was discovered in the state. Twenty-seven businesses in Georgia were placed under a "Stop Sale" notice due to concerns that infected plants were present. Plants from three businesses was destroyed. The estimated value of the plants destroyed was approximately $26,029.49.
Imported Fire Ant Quarantine There are two species of imported fire ants
in Georgia, the red imported fire ant and the black imported fire ant. The USDA has imposed a quarantine to slow the spread of imported fire ants in the U.S. In order to ship products out of
the quarantine area, nurseries must comply with federal guidelines, including treating plant stock with insecticides and maintenance requirements of areas where plant stock is grown. The Plant Protection Section's office may issue
Federal Fire Ant Stamps to nurseries that have satisfied these requirements. This stamp allows nurseries to ship plant products out of the quarantine area.
Japanese Beetle Compliance Program Although the states east of the Mississippi
River are generally infested with Japanese beetles, Georgia has joined 46 other states in adopting the U.S. Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan, a measure to slow the man-assisted spread of this nursery and sod pest. Plant Protection Section inspectors assist growers by providing control recommendations from the University of Georgia Extension Service and verifying that nursery shipments meet the entry requirements of the Western states.
Apiary Inspections The honeybee industry is very important to
the state with Georgia continuing to rank second or third in queen and package bee production each year. While only beekeepers that ship

queens or package bees are required to be li-

censed by the Georgia Depart-

ment of Agriculture, many

~

honey producers and beekeep-

ers that rent hives to farmers

_~

for crop pollination request

inspections by the Plant Pro-

tection Section. Many such beekeepers travel

to states requiring that Plant Protection Section

inspectors certify that queen bees, package bees,

and hives are free of pests and are in good

health. Last year, the Plant Protection Section

inspected over 75,000 bee hives.

Phytosanitary Certification Phytosanitary Certificates are permits for
moving live plants or plant products out of Georgia. This office is authorized to issue both Federal and State Phytosanitary Certificates. These permits certify that the plants or plant products are insect and/or disease free and meet the requirements for legal entry into another state or foreign country. These permits are often required because there may be insects, diseases, or noxious plants that occur in Georgia but not in other states or countries. Some states, primarily the Western states, require all houseplants be inspected by this office before they are allowed across their borders.
In 2002, the Plant Protection Section issued 791 Federal Phytosanitary Certificates, 296 State Phytosanitary Certificates, and 436 Shipping Certificates plus numerous compliance agreements for the shipments of pecans, Vidalia onions, bell peppers, cucumbers, sweet com, snap beans, peaches, carrots, blueberries, sweet potatoes, peanuts, cotton, field com, nursery and greenhouse plants and turfgrass.
Plant Protection Section personnel also work with farmers on export issues. When another state or country has placed restrictions on plants or vegetables from Georgia due to specific pest concerns, Plant Protection Section personnel work with representatives from the University of Georgia Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials and other groups that may be able to provide necessary

19

information to open markets to Georgia farmers. Most recently, Texas and California began to allow the importation of Georgia sweet corn and green beans due to the efforts of the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the University of Georgia. The Plant Protection Section experienced a similar success when Canada began to allow the entry sale of Georgia fresh blueberries.
Agricultural Growing Media Registration In order to maintain consistency in the
potting soil industry, the Georgia Department of Agriculture has adopted regulations concerning labeling and soil media composition. The Plant Protection Division's responsibility is to register potting soils and approve all label information, including the base material, percentage of peat, bark, and other contents.
The cotton boll weevil was eradicated from Georgia in the early 1990s. Since then, cotton production has increased from 200,000 acres to nearly 1.5 million acres annually. Eradication efforts continue to push the boll weevil westward and, hopefully, out of the United States. The Plant Protection Section is responsible for enforcement of Boll Weevil Eradication Regulations and collecting assessments from cotton farmers for the Boll Weevil Eradication Program. These assessments are used for placing and monitoring boll weevil pheromone traps around cotton fields and for control of any re-infestations.
Vegetable Transplant Inspections Georgia's $25 million vegetable transplant
program has changed drastically over the years. In previous years, most of the transplants were field grown. Now, most of the transplants are grown in commercial greenhouses, insulated from extreme temperature fluctuations and protected from threats of hail and drought. Some 135 greenhouses sell vegetable transplants to Georgia farmers and for export. This industry relies heavily on the Georgia Department of Agriculture to inspect and certify that the vegetable transplants are free from insect and disease pests. Without the Department's inspection

and certification program, many states would not allow these transplants to be imported and sold.
Tropical Soda Apple: A Noxious Weed in Georgia
Tropical Soda Apple is a Federal Noxious Weed that is native to South America but has become a serious weed problem in the South, including Georgia. As of September 2003, the Georgia Department of Agriculture had documented Tropical Soda Apple on nearly 19,000 acres. Tropical Soda Apple is most commonly spread though the movement of livestock that consume its fruit.
This weed is a threat to natural areas such as state and national parks, rowcrop agriculture, and pasturelands. Plant Protection Section inspectors have battled this weed since 1998. Significant progress toward eradication has been made. However, true eradication will take five to six additional years. Plant Protection Section inspectors contributed more than 6,000 workhours to combat this weed in 2002.
Pesticide Section (nonstructural)
The Pesticide Section enforces state and federal laws pertaining to the use and application of pesticides. Under the Georgia Pesticide Use and Application Act this section monitors the use of pesticides in a variety of pest management situations including commercial farming, lawn care/landscaping, forestry, public health, and right-of-way. It also licenses private and commercial pesticide applicators and pesticide contractors. Under the Georgia Pesticide Control Act the section licenses restricted use pesticide dealers and registers all pesticides for sale and distribution in Georgia. Additionally, the Pesticide Section licenses wood treatment facilities, inspects irrigation systems for chemigation, coordinates a pesticide container recycling program and waste pesticide collection program.

20

Pesticide Disposal Program Outdated, solidified, unusable pesticide
products sit isolated in the comers or back shelves of many storage buildings waiting for the day they meet their fate. Changes in agricultural production have led to the development of new pesticides and the cancellation of older commonly used products. In many cases these canceled pesticides can no longer be used legally and disposal of these materials must be handled safely and effectively by hazardous waste facilities. Such disposal costs can be very expensive and are often so great that growers may be forced to store these pesticides until a better disposal solution is made available or, in some cases, seek out illegal disposal methods. Improper disposal of these pesticides can lead to environmental problems such as contamination of soil, plants, animals and groundwater. In recent years it has become obvious that some mechanism for the disposal of canceled/suspended pesticides is necessary for Georgia.
In response to these environmental concerns, 1994 Senate Resolution 486 encouraged the Georgia Department of Agriculture to con-

tinue interacting with other agricultural organizations to formulate pilot programs to collect and dispose of these materials. All together, three pilot programs were launched and 43,000 pounds of pesticide were collected. Since those three pilot programs, approximately 1,000,000 pounds of pesticides have been collected. These pesticide collections, funded by the Georgia General Assembly, are referred to as Georgia Clean Days and have occurred allover the state. In fact, 79 of Georgia's 159 counties have participated in the 19 pesticide collections to date.
Worker Protection Standard The Worker Protection Standard is a regula-
tion issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect those who use pesticides in the production of agricultural plants on farms, in nurseries, forests, and greenhouses. The WPS requires employers to take steps in reducing pesticide-related illness and injury for both themselves and their employees. The Georgia Department of Agriculture, Pesticides Division enforces this regulation.

21

Annual Productivity ReportJ FY 2003 Pesticide Division

Licenses Private Applicator Licenses issued Commercial applicator Licenses issued Pesticide Contractor Licenses issued Restricted Use Dealer Licenses issued Treated Timber Processors Licenses issued Treated Timber Dealer Licenses issued Total Number of Licenses issued 4,939
Product Registration Total Number of Pesticide Product Registrations issued

2,140 1,339 1,350
419 36 25
11,184

Type of Inspections and Complaints Pesticide Applicator Inspections Pesticide Misuse Complaints Investigated Producer Establishment Inspections Marketplace Inspections Treated Timber Inspections Chemigation Inspections
Inspections Pesticide Related Samples Collected Pesticide Formulation Samples Collected Violations Warnings issued Fines and $$$ amount of fine
Other Outreach and Education Presentations made Waste Pesticides Collected (Georgia Clean Day)

2,044 150 73
68
154 435
2,924 434
1,152 5,053
274 20/$11,100
30 332,378 pounds

22

Tifton Agricultural Lab

The Tifton Laboratory complex tests more than 80,000 samples of agricultural products each year. The center's conference room provides spacious and convenient space for a broad assortment of meetings and workshops covering various aspects of agriculture.
The $4.6 million laboratory facility with a staff of 29 has been assaying the quality of feed, fertilizer, grain, pesticides, seed and ground water for more than 15 years. These diverse laboratories continue to be an asset to farmers and consumers throughout the state as they perform a wide range of analyses on many agricultural products.
The Tifton Laboratory and the Atlanta Laboratory have always worked together to have a quick turnaround of sample results for customers. However, the Tifton laboratory is dedicated more to agriculture on Georgia's coastal plain. Despite severe budget cuts during recent years, the Department's staff is meeting this challenge with the same determination and hard work that has been set forth in the past.
State-of-the-Art Labs The state-of-the-art laboratory facilities are
used for biological, chemical, and microbiological analyses. These scientific assays verify product contents and quality to protect producers and consumers from mislabeled, adulterated or inferior products.
The chemical section consists of several laboratories for assay of commodities used both by the agricultural community and the home

owner. The fertilizer section tests for macro- and micro-nutrients as a check on labeling of these components. The feed section evaluates a wide variety of farm animal and pet feeds for fat, fiber, protein and other labeled ingredients. The pesticide laboratory evaluates various commercial products for correct labeling of ingredients and their concentrations. The groundwater program assays samples for various harmful contaminants.
Provide Quick Test Results The grain laboratory's ability to identify
aflatoxin in grain samples is of primary importance. With quick laboratory methods, farmers can often have com tested within a day after sample submission for the presence of aflatoxin in parts per billion. In addition, they may submit grain samples for official USDA grades.
Also included at the complex is a seed laboratory, which tests over 15,000 agricultural, vegetable, turfgrass, flower and tree seed samples annually for purity, trueness-to-variety, noxious weed seed, germination, and seed health. A field plot is available where seed may be planted for trueness-to-variety evaluation. Field grow-outs are used to check for truthful labeling and validate faster laboratory methods, such as electrophoresis and peR. The field plot may also be used to compare laboratory tests for germination and seed health with field conditions. These field tests are often instrumental in formulating recommendations to arbitrate complaints.

23

rnimal Industry
The Animal Industry Division consists of veterinarians, field inspectors, laboratory technicians, program managers and support staff, all diligently working to ensure the continued protection of animal and public health, food safety, animal welfare and successful livestock production. The State Veterinarian and Assistant Commissioner of Animal Industry directs the Division organized in Sections of Animal Health, Equine Health, Livestock Poultry Field Forces, Meat Inspection, and Livestock and Poultry Market News.
Georgia's livestock and poultry industries contribute over half of the state's agricultural market value, according to the Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. Poultry is the number one agriculture commodity in Georgia, with annual sales and exports valued at more than three billion dollars. Poultry (broilers and eggs) and livestock (horses, dairy and beef cows) are among our top commodities. The equine industry is one of the fastest growing segments in Georgia agriculture, with an estimated 250,000 horses in the state. The Animal Industry Division was instrumental in Georgia receiving the distinction of hosting the CCI Four Star, a top international equestrian competition event beginning in 2005. Georgia's animal industries serve as the economic lifeline for the state totaling over six times the market value of the second most valuable agriculture commodity.
The Animal Industry Division has been a leader in developing state animal industry programs and policy. The State Veterinarian chairs the inaugural Georgia Agroterrorism Committee, under the auspices of the State Homeland Security Task Force in the Governor's Office. The objectives of the Committee are to (1) identify, analyze, and prioritize perceived threats of agroterrorism to reduce Georgia's vulnerability and minimize damage of potential targets; (2) enhance response plans for agriculture-specific threats that are consistent with federal actions; and (3) to reduce short and longterm recovery from incidents affecting agriculture. The Agroterrorism Committee developed the State Homeland Security Assessment and Strategic Plan for Agriculture in cooperation with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture is the lead agency responsible for Emergency Support Function 14, Animals and Animal Industry, within the state emergency management operation plan. The Animal Industry Division staff is responsible for directing and coordinating resources for the mitigation, prevention, response, and recovery efforts necessary to assist animals and animal industries in the event of a natural disaster, animal health emergency, or agroterror incident.
Preventing the spread of animal diseases to humans is a critical mission of the Animal Industry Division. A prime example is the Georgia West Nile Virus Working Group, spearheaded in 2000 by the State Veterinarian, which enjoins experts in the fields of animal health, public health, emergency management, communication, and mosquito control. The Assistant State Veterinarian collaborates with academic and government partners to track West Nile virus infections in domestic animals, direct epidemiology investigations, and report data to the Georgia Division of Public Health.
The State Veterinarian's Office approves the distribution and sale of all animal vaccines (e.g. rabies, West Nile Virus) and permits the importation of veterinary biologicals into the state. Requests include permits for vaccine efficacy field trials, autogenous vaccine production and use, and the importation of biological materials to universities and federal laboratories, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The proper oversight of animal vaccines and biological materials is cri~ical in maintaining the health of animal populations in Georgia.
The Animal Industry Division has contractual agreements with the Georgia Poultry Improvement Association for disease diagnostics and surveillance activities for the commercial poultry
24

industry, and with the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Laboratories, in Athens and Tifton, for similar services for other domestic animals.
The Animal Health Section of the Animal Industry Division governs the prevention, control, and eradication of certain infectious and communicable diseases of livestock and domestic animals. In 2003, the Georgia Legislature passed Senate Bill 183 which requires reporting of certain animal diseases. Beginning in the spring of 2004, the Reportable Animal Disease System (RADS) should be available on the internet to facilitate disease reporting throughout the state. The monitoring of livestock movements in addition to disease surveillance and prompt reporting is critical to prevent the introduction and spread of potentially devastating animal diseases in Georgia. The 200 I Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in the United Kingdom cost an estimated $30 billion to eradicate. The outbreak disrupted the economy and delayed national elections. The 2003 outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease in four western states cost more than $200 million to eradicate. Both of these devastating foreign animal diseases were prevented from spreading to Georgia due to stringent import requirements, improved disease surveillance, and the vigilance of the Animal Industry Division and animal agriculture sector.
The Animal Health Section also administers the new Dog and Cat Sterilization Program, funded by the sale of the Dog and Cat Sterilization License Plates, to help pay for spay and neuter procedures performed by Georgia veterinarians and provide educational materials about the healthy choice of sterilization.
The Equine Health Section of the Animal Industry Division oversees the humane treatment of equine, licenses and inspects stables, and helps control infectious and contagious diseases of equine, such as Equine Infectious Anemia. The Section serves as first responders for emergency management incidents, and provides emergency and rescue training to equine organizations and local governments. The Equine Health Programs enjoy broad grassroots support and assure that adequate health protections and humane care for equine remain a top priority of the Department of Agriculture.
The Livestock and Poultry Field Forces Section serve as the primary community contact for the Animal Industry Division. This Section shares three district offices with other components of the Department of Agriculture and has inspectors dispersed throughout the state to oversee the health requirements of livestock, assist with environmental stewardship on livestock farms and rendering plants, and function as primary responders for animal industry emergencies. Program activities include the enforcement of health requirements at livestock auctions, licensing and regulating deer farmers, overseeing proper disposal of dead animals, licensing and inspecting rendering plants, training nutrient management planners, and monitoring concentrated animal feeding operations.
The Meat Inspection Section is the largest compartment of the Animal Industry Division. The Section licenses 159 red meat plants in Georgia and protects consumers from food borne diseases. Meat Inspectors assure consumers will receive wholesome, safe, and truthfully labeled meat and meat food products by assuring compliance with food safety standards. Meat Inspection veterinarians oversee the humane slaughter of livestock and provide medical judgments for the proper disposition of meat products presented for human consumption. The Section also has a primary role in food security and would serve as first responders to an intentional threat on our meat supply.
The Livestock and Poultry Market News Sections provide vital market information for critical business decisions by the commercial poultry industry and livestock producers. The Market News Services reflect price trends and helps facilitate exports of Georgia livestock and poultry products worldwide. The Georgia poultry dock prices are the world-renowned resource for the most current economic trends in the global poultry industry.
25

Animal Health
Following the decline of cotton in the early 1900s, livestock became the backbone of Georgia's economy. Today, broilers and eggs combine to form Georgia's leading cash commodity, accounting for more than $3 billion in annual sales. Cattle are raised in all 159 Georgia counties. The state's equine industry continues its strong and steady growth and is an important part of our landscape and economy. Disease Eradication Prevents Economic Losses
The eradication of animal diseases requires the close cooperation of livestock producers, veterinarians and government officials. Georgia has eradicated tuberculosis, cattle brucellosis, swine brucellosis and pseudorabies from the state's cattle and swine herds. The cattle and swine herds are monitored for these diseases through slaughter surveillance to detect reintroduction of these diseases.
Producers are assisted with scrapie eradication in sheep and control programs for Equine Infectious Anemia in horses and lohne's Disease in cattle.
Cattle and swine imported into the state are closely regulated. Livestock and poultry producers are assisted through laboratory analyses and disease surveillance programs for Foreign Animal Diseases such as Classical Swine Fever, Foot and Mouth Disease, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Avian Influenza, and Exotic Newcastle Disease. Georgia Maintains Thberculosis-Free Status
On October 9, 1986, Georgia was declared a tuberculosis-free state, with no known tuberculosis infection since 1974. This status allows freer movement of cattle from Georgia to other states. Georgia dairies are still monitored for tuberculosis and tissue samples are taken from slaughter plants to help Georgia remain tuberculosis free. During FY 03,28,213 tuberculosis tests were conducted on cattle herds in Georgia. No infection was disclosed. Georgia Maintains Cattle Brucellosis-Free Status
On April 21, 1998, Georgia received Brucellosis Class Free Status with no known infection since 1997. This status allows freer movement of cattle from Georgia to other states. A comprehensive surveillance program continues in order to detect reintroduction of the disease into the state. During FY 03,374,110 slaughter surveillance and farm samples were tested in the brucellosis laboratory. No infection was disclosed.
Comparative cervical TB test being conducted by Veterinary Medical Officer
26

Georgia Maintains Swine Brucellosis-Free Status On December 29, 1995, Georgia received Swine Brucellosis-Free Status with no known infec-
tion since 1993. This status allows freer movement of Georgia swine to other states. A comprehensive slaughter and market surveillance program is conducted in order to detect reintroduction of the disease from feral swine or other states. During FY 03, 10,323 market and slaughter samples were tested for swine brucellosis with no known infections being disclosed.

Georgia Maintains Swine Pseudorabies-Free Status On May 1, 1999, Georgia was declared a pseudorabies free state with no known infection in
domestic swine since 1997. This status allows freer movement of Georgia swine to other states. A comprehensive slaughter and market surveillance program is conducted in order to detect reintroduction of the disease from feral swine or other states. During FY 03, 10,323 market and slaughter samples were tested for pseudorabies with no infection being disclosed in domestic swine herds.
Georgia Conducts other Disease Eradication and Control Programs The scrapie eradication program in sheep was implemented in FY 02 with one infected flock
being disclosed in FY 03. The Equine Infectious Anemia Control program maintains a testing program and in FY 03,63,615 horses were tested disclosing 10 positive animals.
Diagnostic Labs Test for Common, Exotic Diseases The brucellosis laboratory, located in the agriculture building in Atlanta, operates under a
cooperative agreement with USDA. There are also two diagnostic Laboratories in Athens and Tifton operated by the University System of Georgia, which test for brucellosis, pseudorabies and other animal diseases.
Ten poultry laboratory facilities are located around the state. The main laboratory is in Oakwood, near Gainesville. These facilities test for exotic diseases as well as those common to domestic birds. The labs also perform diagnostic necropsies and serology tests.
Testing for Program Diseases

FY03

FY02

Cattle Brucellosis Cattle Tuberculosis Swine Brucellosis Swine Pseudorabies

374,110 28,213 10,323 10,323

417,105 24,700 9,696 9,696

Disease Eradication/Control

Disease/Condition

#Quarantines Issued

Suspect Communicable Diseases Cattle Brucellosis Cattle Tuberculosis Swine Brucellosis Swine Pseudorabies Equine Infectious Anemia Scrapie

FY02

147

155

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

10

6

1

1

27

Other Activities
Certified Brucellosis Free Cattle Herds Accredited Tuberculosis Free Cattle Herds VaHdated Brucellosis Free Swine Herds Qualified Pseudorabies Free Swine Herd Sheep Flocks in Certification Program Equine Event Permits Livestock Imported into GA Livestock Exported from GA

145 96 28
28
34 1,834 432,645 582,837

16 102 28 28 26 1,501 242,026 540,896

Licensing Safeguards Poultry Industry Poultry dealers are now required to be licensed and to keep records of all poultry purchases and
sales and to trace exposure to diseases such as Avian Influenza, laryngotracheitis, pullorum typhoid, and Exotic Newcastle.
Agency Enforces Marks and Brands Law To protect Hvestock producers from losses due to cattle rustling and strays, the state Marks and
Brands Law was passed in 1974, with enforcement assigned to the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The department keeps records of registered brands so that animals can be checked in suspicious situations. During FY 03, 44 new brands were registered, bringing the total number in the state to 563.

28

Reporters are responsible for compiling a record of transactions of a specific market or marketing area. Compiling such releases and related statistical data requires an accurate evaluation of a cross section of the trade. The reporter must include factual data on supply, demand, trade activity, price trends, and quotations by class, grade, and/or weight of the livestock. Reporters must gain and hold the confidence and respect of trade members by proving their ability to retain confidential information and establishing a reputation for fair and equitable treatment of all members of the industry. Each reporter should be able to discuss the overall livestock situation and marketing, not only in the area of Georgia, but other markets throughout the country as well.
Georgia's Livestock Market News Service reporters evaluate hundreds of animals each day. Each animal must be evaluated accurately within thirty seconds or less. So, the next time you visit your local livestock market, look for someone with a clipboard writing down prices, and stop by and visit. The reporters are there to help Georgia livestock producers determine when to buy or sell their livestock.

Top Ten Markets 1. Dixie - Emanuel Co. 2. Ashburn -Turner Co. 3. Carnesville - Franklin Co. 4. Calhoun - Gordon Co. 5. Jackson - Butts Co. 6. Lanier - Hall Co. 7. Greensboro - Greene Co. 8. Washington - Wilkes Co. 9. Carrollton - Carroll Co. 10. Eastanollee - Stephens Co.

$59,789 49,155 48,317 41,848 34,859 31,865 31,110 29,619 28,332 25,988

Total

$380,882.00

Market News Reporter evaluates carcass characteristics on FFA Market Lambs

Georgia cattle producers rely upon price trends of400500 lb steers to determine the best time to market their
calves

Whats For Dinner? Georgia Beef

30

Poultry Market News Service
Georgia ranks first nationally in the production of broilers (young frying chickens) and accounts for 15% of the total pounds of the nation's broiler production. For the 29th consecutive year, the average American consumes a record amount of chicken. For FY 2003, the estimated per capita consumption is 81.7 pounds per person, with a projected increase to 85 pounds per person within the next few years. An efficient market information system is vital to the successful marketing of the state's poultry products.
For the nineteenth consecutive year, Georgia has been the nation's leader in broiler production. In FY 2003 the value of production from broilers totaled $1.84 billion resulting in 6.13 billion pounds produced. Georgia also ranks first in the value of production of eggs since 1997. Heavy hen production in Georgia produced 95.1 million pounds of chicken meat in FY 2003. Georgia presently has 20 broiler processing plants and more than 30 further-processing operations.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture Poultry Market News Service improves the marketing of Georgia poultry products by providing complete, accurate and timely data to poultry producers, processors, fast food operators, chain store buyers, distributors and consumers. All major fast food operators (Chick-Fil-A, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Church's Chicken, Popeye's, Wendy's, etc.) use the Georgia Poultry Market News Reports to make decisions on purchasing poultry products.
Poultry Market News Reports are distributed via the Georgia Department of Agriculture website and mailed to potential customers worldwide. Reports are also provided by telephone and fascimile. The reports contain complete listings of the established values and current conditions for whole birds, heavy hens and primary poultry parts (breast meat, chicken tenders, leg quarters, wings, etc.). Information gathered daily by the Poultry Market News office includes value, supply and demand of dressed broilers processed in Georgia; quality and volume of broilers processed; number and weighted average of broiler meat loads that are sold. Farm quotations with supply and demand factors are also compiled for heavy hens that are used for breeding.
Poultry Market News reports that are distributed each week include: -Monday: Final Weighted Average Report for Whole Birds and Parts -Tuesday: Broiler Survey Report -Wednesday: Georgia Dock Report for Whole Birds and Parts -Thursday: Preliminary Weighted Average Report and Heavy Hen Survey Report -Friday: Preliminary Weighted Average Report for Whole Birds and Parts, and Heavy Hen
Report On a daily basis, the Poultry Market News office also summarizes the data for publication and release in various media outlets, including radio, television and wire service. The office also provides a daily recorded message with the most current information for the public by calling 404-6563709. The Poultry Market News Office disseminates the majority of market reports and information utilizing the Georgia Department of Agriculture website http://www.agr.state.ga.us. which is updated on a daily basis. The web includes not only the most up to date poultry information available but also historical data to assist potential customers with long range procurement and marketing strategies. The twenty-four hour access to Georgia poultry information is especially vital during periods of sudden price fluctuations caused by supply shortages or increased demands. Access to real-time, cutting-edge poultry market information through the Poultry Market News Service is critical to the economic vitality of the poultry industry, marketing strategies of customers, including distributors and fast food operators, and ultimately the consumer. This service is one of the mechanisms that helps Georgia maintain the status as the national and international leader in poultry production.
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Cents
67 66 65
I~
64 63 62 61

Georgia Department of Agriculture Whole Bird Dock Quoted Prices Fiscal Year 2003

I-+- I Whole Bird

~
"" / J ~

./
/
""........, /

60

59

58

JUL

AUG SEP OCT f\JOV DEC

JAN FB3 MA.R APR

JUN

Weekly (Wednesday) 6/26/02 to 6/25/03

Cents 220 200
180
160
'- 140
120
100
80
60 IX<.L
1---
40
20
o
JUL AUG

Georgia Department of Agriculture Parts Dock Comparison Prices Fiscal Year 2003

.....~~
.-

............-.....

~

...........
T

'-- -_._~

'- --

.......

-
..r.
~

SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MA.R APR
Weekly (Wednesday) 6/26/02 to 6/25/03

250
200
. r.- .. .....
150
- - --
100
50
o
MA.Y JUN

Whole Breasts ___ Skinless Boneless Breasts ---iIE- Leg Quarters

-+- Line Run Tenders
~ Boneless Skinless Thigh tv'ea -'-Wing

32

Equine Health Section
The Equine Health Section is responsible for enforcing the Humane Care for Equines Act, the Equine Act of 1969 and excerpts of the Georgia Animal Protection Act. The Section assists with the enforcement of the Dead Animal Disposal Act and Livestock Running at Large/Stray laws as they pertain to equine. These laws protect equine from inhumane care and treatment, and prevent the spread of infectious and contagious diseases. The section has primary responsibilities for disasters and large scale emergencies involving equine. Currently, there are 11 Equine Inspectors and 1 Equine Field Supervisor employed to cover the entire state.

Starving Conditions upon Impoundment by the Department
ofAgriculture

Rehabilitation Process using Supportive Slings

Afterfull rehabilitation by the Department ofAgriculture

Humane Care for Equines Act The need for protecting the welfare of Georgia's equine prompted the State Legislature to pass
the Humane Care for Equines Act in 1992. The authority and duty was extended to the Department of Agriculture to ensure that all equine are provided with adequate food and water, and are treated in an uncruel and humane manner. The Act provides for inspections, impoundment, rehabilitation, and disposition, including the sale of equine. This aspect of the Equine Health Section consume the majority of available resources due to the large number of abuse complaints and the extensive care required for the rehabilitation and disposition of impounded horses. The number of abuse complaints and impounded horses has increased dramatically over the last several years. In 2002 alone, the Section investigated a record number of 1,210 abuse complaints and impounded 186 horses.

Examples ofother critical conditions that warrant impoundment
33

GDA Equine Health Section: Complaints and Impoundments

1400

1200

1000

800

-
1'1 II IIII

600 400 200
o

FY FY FY FY

'97 '99 '01 '03

DAbuse Complaints Investigated by the Georgia Department of

200.....--------, 15041------1 100-li------I
50~...,..- t t-ll H
FY FY FY FY 97 99 01 03

[] Impoundment s Because of Failure to Provide Humane

The Equine Health Section cUlTently operates an Equine Critical Care facility in Dekalb County and an impoundment maintenance facility in Jasper County. With the consistent increase in demand for services and the impact of program growth, the Equine Health section has been challenged to maintain the desired level of service with the limited number of inspectors and resources. With the record number of impoundments, the Department of Agriculture has heavily relied upon volunteers and part-time employees to oversee the feeding, care, and rehabilitation at both impound facilities. The generosity of various organizations, individuals, veterinarians, and feed and equipment suppliers keeps the impound program operational. The Georgia Equine Rescue League, Inc., formed in 1992, spearheaded the volunteer support network for the impound program.

Dekalb County Equine Critical Care Facility
In addition to investigating the complaints, impounding and rehabilitating horses, the inspectors provide testimony at Department of Agriculture settlement conferences and are often subpoenaed as expert witnesses in court. Inspectors are trained extensively in case documentation, including written reports, photos, videos, collecting clinical data, and samples for diagnostic testing.
Equine Act of 1969 The Equine Health Section plays a vital role with regard to equine diseases and their control,
suppression, and prevention. The Georgia Equine Act gives the Department the authority to monitor diseases such as Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). A negative EIA test is required within the last 12 months on all equine that are sold, traded, given away, or moved for the purpose of change of ownership in the state of Georgia. A current negative Equine Infectious Anemia test is also required at any exhibition, rodeo, trail ride, horse show or other activity where horses are gathered. Equine testing positive for the disease must be quarantined for Ijfe at least 200 yards from any other equine, shipped to slaughter, or eutharuzed and buried.
34

An equine inspector is present at every equine auction held in Georgia. The inspectors must ensure that each horse sold has a current, negative EIA test or that a blood sample is pulled by the veterinarian at the sale. They must also assure that only healthy animals are sold and that all animals are treated in a humane manner. It i also the inspectors' duty to see that the sale facility, including holding pens and sale arena, is well maintained and provides adequate lighting and ventilation. There are currently 10 regular equine sales, most of which are held every Friday and Saturday night. The majority of the sales average approximately 40 equine per sale but some may have more than 200.
Equine section personnel perform epidemiological investigations and disease control measures related to EIA. Equine testing positive are quarantined and re-tested to ensure that the results are accurate. All exposed equine are quarantined and tested, then re-tested 45 days post exposure to the positive animal. On several occasions, one positive animal has been found to expose in excess of 150 others. Only 5 animals tested positive last year, out of 62,265. Georgia has consistently had a lower percentage of positive reactors than many other states due to a stringent and effective control program. The national EIA program and those of other states have used Georgia's EIA program as a model.
Animal Protection Act Another important aspect of the Equine Health Section is licensing more than 1,000 stables in
the state. The Animal Protection Act requires that any stable that charges a fee for boarding, training, breeding, riding, pulling vehicles, or other similar purposes must be licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
Licenses are issued for a period of one year, with the fee being $100 for up to 20 equine and $200 for more than 20 equine. Late fees are assessed for any individual that has been notified in writing and has not obtained a license within 10 days of such notification.

Unlicensed stable in violation

Licensed Stable

The licensed facilities must provide adequate food, water, shelter, and care for all equine present. Any building used for housing equine must provide adequate ventilation, be clean and sanitary, and provide adequate shelter from the elements. Proof of a current, negative equine infectious anemia test must be maintained by the stable owner for every equine present. Last year the state had a total of 1,089 licensed facilities.
Emergency Management On January 27, 2000, an executive order was signed by Governor Roy Barnes in regards to
emergency management and response in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Agriculture was
35

designated as the primary agency responsible for incidents involving animals. The Equine Health Section is the primary response unit for incidents/emergencies involving equine. The section also provides rescue training for volunteers, organizations, and first responders in law enforcement. Personnel have responded to such incidents as barn fires, trailer accidents, train wrecks, trapped equine (holes, mud, water), and weather related emergencies.
Department Inspectors serve as first responders for emergency management incidents. including search and rescue.
36

Livestock/Poultry Field Forces

The Livestock Poultry Field Forces Section is responsible for enforcing laws and rules for the prevention, monitoring and testing, and eradkation of livestock and poultry diseases, as well as ensuring that Georgia livestock and poultry producers meet environmental standards for water quality. The section consists of an office in Atlanta and 3 district offices located in Gainesville, Albany, and Jesup. There are 21 full time inspectors and 5 part-time inspectors working with farmers and livestock on a daily basis. Livestock

A mere 26 inspectors provide inspections, emergency response and producer assistance for $3.7 billion livestock
and poultry indust/y.

Livestock/Poultry inspectors inspected 827,300 livestock in FY 03 for detection, prevention, and eradication of livestock diseases, such as hog cholera, brucellosis, tuberculosis, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (Mad Cow), pseudorabies, contagious lymphadenitis, pink eye, sore mouth, club lamb fungus, and foot and mouth disease. These livestock were inspected at auction markets, flea markets, fairs, shows and exhibitions as well as on the farm. Inspection of livestock allows Georgia to remain free of the diseases whjch we have eradicated, but more important, it provides the opportunity for early detection of the possible entry of foreign animal diseases such as mad cow and foot and mouth disease.

Identifying cattle with Ear Tag

Collecting bloodfor Swine Pseudorabies and Brucellosis
Testing

Collecting Blood for Cattle Brucellosis Testing

Inspecting for Club Lamb Fungus

Testing Feral (Wild) Swine for Pseudorabies and Brucellosis
37

Poultry LivestockIPoultry inspectors inspected 112,300 poultry in FY 03 for the detection, monitoring
or testing, and eradication of poultry diseases, such as exotic newcastle disease, avian influenza, and salmonella pullorum. Georgia is the number one poultry state and the presence of any of these diseases could have a severe economk impact on our poultry industry. In the fall of FY 03, LivestockIPoultry inspectors began pulling blood samples on backyard poultry sold at poultry auction markets and flea markets. Inspectors test the blood for salmonella pullorum at the markets and then submit it to Georgia Poultry Laboratories for further disease testing such as avian influenza. Livestock/Poultry inspectors sampled and tested 4,944 poultry in FY 03. In addition to inspecting poultry, Livestock/Poultry inspectors inspected all 4,000 poultry growers to ensure that all poultry mortality is disposed in accordance with Georgia Dead Animal Disposal Act. Improper disposal of poultry mortality presents a bio-security threat of spreading potential poultry diseases. In FY 03, Livestock/ Poultry inspectors inspected 6,715 poultry disposal facilities.

Inspection & Testing for Diseases at Poultry Sales (Establishment)

Poultry Mortality Composter Inspection

Poultry Mortality Pit Inspection

Poultry Mortality Incinerator Inspection

Rendering In July 1999, the Georgia Department of Agriculture adopted rules under the Georgia Rendering
Law requiring rendering plants to develop a malodor control and assessment program (Malodor Cap), which is a preventative system of controls outlining measures for evaluation and control of odors involving raw materials, transportation and handling, processing, waste water treatment, and all emission control systems. Livestock/Poultry personnel inspect all rendering facilities on a quarterly basis to ensure compliance with their Malodor CAP and determine if malodors are present. LivestockIPoultry personnel may also assist plant management in evaluating the effectiveness of the Malodor CAP and determining necessary improvements. The Georgia Department of Agriculture's rendering plant odor control program was the first in the United States and generated interest from many other states as well as Canada.

38

Emergency Management Under Emergency Support Function 14, the Georgia Department of Agriculture is the primary
agency in response to disasters involving animals, both livestock and companion animals. The LivestockJPoultry Section coordinates the Department's activities with Georgia Emergency Management Agency. Livestock/Poultry inspectors are first responders to animal disasters, establishing perimeter controls to ensure disease containment, dead animal disposal, proper cleaning and disinfecting, as well as ensuring animal welfare and proper euthanasia, if necessary. Disasters range from vehicle accidents to natural disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes. The Georgia Department of Agriculture maintains a network of contacts within government agencies, as well as the private sector, including voluntary organizations. In addition, the manager of the LivestockJPoultry Section serves as one of the Department's emergency coordinators for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.

Poultry Truck Wreck

Tornado Destruction of Poultl}1 House

Emergency Large Animal Respnse to Cobb County 1-75 Disaster in 1II02
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Both water quality and quantity have become major concerns, particularly in the Southeast, and
Georgia livestock and poultry farmers are no exception. In June 1999 and January 200], the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division adopted water quality rules for swine and other livestock. Through a Memorandum of Understanding beginning in August 2001, the Georgia Department of Agriculture agreed to administer most of the livestock water quality programs. Farms with greater than 300 animal units (300 adult cows or equivalent) are required to have permits, certified operators, and a certified nutrient management plan prepared by a certified nutrient management specialist. As of June 31, 2003, the LivestockJPoultry Section has certified 577 farm operators and 269 nutrient management plan specialists. In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding for FY 03, the Livestock/Poultry Section reviewed 55 nutrient management plans for
39

approval and inspected 53 for compliance with EPD water quality rules. In August 2003, the DNR EPD adopted water quality rules for poultry growers.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture is in the process of developing a Memorandum of Understanding under which the LivestockJPoultry Section will continue to administer water quality programs for all livestock, now including poultry.
Inspecting Livestock Waste Water Lagoon
40

Meat Inspection Section
Protecting and Serving Georgia The Georgia Meat Inspection program fills the void left between the available federal inspection
and local public health inspection, providing a seamless food safety system for Georgians. The Georgia Meat Inspection Program protects the public health from foodborne disease. No Georgia inspected meat or meat product has ever been linked to a foodborne outbreak. The Georgia Meat Inspection Program also protects consumers from economic fraud. Another important function is allowing Georgians to establish and operate profitable businesses that could not exist otherwise. Currently, the businesses licensed under the Georgia Meat Inspection program are directly contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to Georgia's economy. In addition, they potentially provide Georgia with a secure internal resource of safe, wholesome meat products should a breach in interstate food security take place.
Establishing and Revising Food Safety Standards The Georgia Meat Inspection Program establishes safety standards through testing, review of
scientific research and evaluation of consumer needs. The Program approves, rejects, limits or cancels the legal use of chemicals, technologies or practices; establishes "tolerances" or safe levels of chemical residues; and sets strict regulations for the safe application of a chemical or other food safety technologies. Georgia Meat Inspectors monitor and inspect meat and meat food production processes from the farm (antibiotic and chemical residues), through processing and the retail level. Georgia meat inspection personnel routinely cooperate with other state and federal programs for tracking and intercepting commodities or shipments with high risks of food safety problems or to track, record and analyze reports of illnesses, outbreaks and deaths attributed to meat or meat food products.
Food Security The Georgia Meat Inspection Program has a lead role in assuring food security within Georgia.
In response to potential food security threats, the Georgia Meat Inspection Program performs daily food security tasks that correspond to the National Threat Level. The Program is part of the Georgia Agriculture Information Sharing and Analysis Center Committee. Under certain conditions, Georgia Meat Inspection personnel are the only authority who can investigate unacceptable situations, stop international and domestic food shipments, reject individual foods or lots, shut down plants, assess penalties and prosecute suspected offenders. The Program provides both industry and consumers guidance on food safety and food security issues.
Cooperative Funding The Georgia Meat Inspection Program is 50 % funded from federal monies with the exceptions
of voluntary inspection, holiday or overtime activities, which are 100% reimbursed by the entity requesting the inspection service.
History of a Cooperative Program The Wholesome Meat Act (FMIA), passed by Congress in 1967, requires all meat or poultry
product that enters interstate commerce to be prepared in a federally inspected establishment. The FMIA also required all states with meat inspection programs to operate them cooperatively with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and modeled after USDA standards. Because Georgia's Meat Inspection Program was as old and effective as the federal program, but the meat
41

processing facilities in the South were not like the large entities for which the federal program was designed, U.S. Senators Talmadge (GA) and Aiken (SC) inserted language to assure that acceptable entities requesting federal license, which the federal program could not or did not want to staff, could operate as federal plants under inspection by trained State personnel.
Since 1967, the Georgia Meat Inspection Program has been a cooperative effort between the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the USDA. In 1968, Georgia entered a cooperative agreement with USDA and was certified as "equal to USDA standards" on December 15, 1970. Georgia's program is continually reviewed by USDA and is highly rated on inspection and fiscal criteria. Georgia was approved in 1988 for a self-certification program that allows designated state personnel to review the program and recommend changes to improve the quality of the inspections. The Georgia inspectors are responsible for enforcing regulations governing sanitation, slaughter and processing in state establishments shipping within the state and in addition, most inspectors are also cross-licensed by USDA to perform federal inspection in the federal plants staffed by the state under the Talmadge/Aiken Clause.
Providing Economic Benefits Because the Georgia Meat Inspection Program inspects mostly small meat slaughter or process-
ing facilities which the USDA has no desire to staff, these businesses often either would not be able to open or would have their hours of operation restricted in a manner that would severely compromise them economically. This has benefited the state economy through increasing diversity and competition among the industry. In States that have given up their meat inspection programs recently, 30-40% of these small businesses have been unable to survive the transition to the more impersonal oversight of the federal inspection program.
Providing Reimbursed Inspection Services The Georgia Meat Inspection Program also provides voluntary inspection to plants who are
producing meat or poultry items which are not amenable to the Federal Meat Inspection Act or the Federal Poultry Products Inspection Act as reimbursable services (the total cost of the inspection is reimbursed by the inspected entity. Due to efficiency, Georgia can provide her industries this service at approximately 60% of the cost of obtaining the same type service from the federal program. In the last year, this has saved Georgia based industry hundreds of thousands of dollars without requiring any Georgia tax revenues.
Recent Changes Recent changes implemented in all state and federal establishments include PBIS (a computer
directed Performance Based Inspection System), SSOP (Sanitation Standard Operational Plans) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point). These three systems allow the program director to focus inspection resources on establishments that do not comply with regulations and reduce inspections in plants with a history of responsible management and compliance. They also allow quick response to new threats and were used successfully to incorporate a system of food security tasks performed by inspectors in response to National Threat Levels under the Homeland Security Advisory System.
42

Thorough Inspection Procedures Followed The division currently employs 89 inspectors to cover 159 (95 state and 64 state/federal) slaugh-
ter and processing plants. These inspectors assure the public of wholesome, safe, and truthfully labeled meat and meat food products. To this end, Georgia Meat Inspection personnel perform more than] 00,000 computer-generated tasks per year.

Establishments are required to maintain high standards of sanitation within the facility, as well as the outside premises within property boundaries. Ante-mortem inspection is performed on all animals at rest and in motion before slaughter to ensure each animal is fit for slaughter. During the slaughter process, a thorough post-mortem is conducted on each carcass to detect any deformities or diseases not revealed prior to slaughter. Georgia Meat Inspection personnel inspect about 232,527 head of meat animals per year, producing more than 20 million pounds of dressed carcasses. Georgia Meat Inspection veterinarians performed disposition of 6,783 animals of which 307 head and 123,168 pounds of parts were condemned.

Arriving at Slaughter

Viscera Inspection 43

Breaking Official Seal

Processing inspection includes the enforcement of regulations governing cutting and boning, curing and ,smoking, sausage manufacturing, edible rendering and refining, fabrication and portion control. The inspector also enforces formulation and labeling requirements at the plant level. Meat Inspection personnel conducted more than 60,480 processing inspection activities on more than 61,307,202 pounds of meat products (last year resulting in 1,763 actions, the condemnation of 627,617 pounds of product and 3 withholdings of the inspection legend).

Chilled Carcass Inspection

Facility/Equipment Inspection

Program personnel oversee the control and use of condemned and inedible materials, which must be denatured or decharacterized to prevent their diversion into the food chain. Blueprints are approved prior to construction of new facilities as well as renovations to existing structures. The department reviews labels and formulations of all products prior to their manufacture and sale to the public.
Laboratory sampling is in place to ensure products are free of economic (added fat, water, etc.), chemical (pesticides, antibiotics, etc.), or microbial adulteration (Salmonellae, E.coli 0157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes). Each year, Georgia Meat Inspection personnel test around 5,000 individual animals for antibiotic residues at the plant and take blood samples on another 6,000 head of slaughter animals for submission to the State laboratory. The program tests the water supply at around 115 plants, and performs more than 3,300 individual chemical or microbiological determinations (last year resulting in 23 actions).

Submissionjor Screwworm ID

Carcass Micro Swab 44

Tissue jor TB Detection

Meat Inspection Compliance Program The Georgia Meat Inspection program has four Meat Compliance Officers who oversee the
meat products In distribution and commerce at more than 70,000 Georgia meat processors, haulers, distributors, retail stores, wholesale stores, food warehouses, salvage stores, restaurants, schools, nursing homes, hotels, institutions, roadside stands, flea markets, food banks, and craft fairs. Compliance responds to complaints from consumers and the general pub)jc, documents violations, and takes samples. (Last year they conducted 3,460 indjvidual reviews, issued 60 letters of warning, and detained 13,567 pounds of product.)
GDA Meat Inspection Compliance Officer
45

Georgia DepartInent of Agriculture

Commissioner Tommy Irvin Administration Division Accounting Office Budget Office Personnel Office InforII!ation Technology Press Office Consumer Services Section Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin Animal Protection Commodities Bonding Section International Trade Warehouse Division Farmers' Markets
Atlanta Augusta Columbus Macon Savannah Thomasville Consumer Protection Dairy Division Fuel and Measures Plant Industry Entomology and Pesticides Plant Food, Feed and Grain Nursery and Plant Protection Seed Division Structural Pesticides Laboratories Brucellosis Lab Animal Industry Animal Health Equine Health General Field Forces Meat Inspection Poultry Market News Information Toll-Free Line

(404) 656-3600 656-3608 656-3611 656-5645 656-3615 656-3720 656-3689 656-3645 656-3722 656-4914 656-3678 656-3725 656-3740 656-3676
(404) 675-1782 (706) 721-3004 (706) 649-7448 (478) 752-1097 (912) 966-7801 (229) 225-4072 (404)656-3627
656-3628 656-3605 656-0437 656-4958 656-3637 651-9486 656-5584 656-3641 656-3647 656-3663 656-3671 656-3667 656-3713 656-3665 656-3673 656-3656 (800) 282-5852

46