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96 South Main Street, PO Box 77, Nephi, Utah 84648 - Voice: 435 623-0525 - FAX: 435 623-4735 On our front page this week |
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 To meet the expanding needs of animal and human health protection, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) and Utah State University (USU) announce the opening of the Central Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Nephi, Utah. The laboratory serves as a primary line of defense to detect and prevent the spread of animal diseases, especially those diseases that are transmissible from animals to humans. The lab also helps serve the state's increased awareness of homeland security and bioterrorism. The 5,000 square foot building replaces a similar facility in Provo that will be closing later this year. The laboratory will promote healthy animals, safe food and thus healthy people. It is not only concerned with medicine for food animals, but with the health and well being of companion animals such as dogs, cats and horses. It is also concerned with the health of wildlife and exotic pets such as turtles, birds and reptiles. The goal of the lab is to promote the health and well being of the animal kingdom, and thereby protect human health and safety, and quality of life. The Lab is a partnership between the UDAF, USU, Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Utah livestock industry.It will continue to be staffed primarily with veterinarians who will perform medical examinations of animals and animal remains to closely monitor animal diseases in the state. An open house was held Monday, July 21. Featured speakers were: Cary G. Peterson, Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food; Sen. Leonard Blackham, Executive Appropriations Committee; Dr. Michael R. Marshall, State Veterinarian; Dr. Paul Rassmussen, USU Agricultural Experiment Station; Dr. Tom Baldwin, State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory; and Dr. Vaughn Park, Utah Veterinary Medical Association: Rex Larson, Utah Farm Bureau.
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