AVIAN INFLUENZA AND SMALL-FLOCK POULTRY . . . 2015-16 SHEEP PROGRAMS . . . THIS IS SHELL’S DREAM . . . ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP USES SHOCKING METHOD TO CATCH FISH . . . QUARRY APPROVAL ISSUED  . . .                
OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

AVIAN INFLUENZA AND SMALL-FLOCK POULTRY
Source: Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
Avian influenza is a contagious viral disease that affects many bird species, including domestic poultry and wild birds. However, some birds can carry the disease without showing any sign of it. During the migration of wild water birds, the risks for small-flock poultry increases because there’s a greater chance the flock could come into contact with wild birds. Dr. Colleen Christianson is a veterinary pathologist with Alberta Agriculture, and she joins us on the line to talk more about avian influenza and how to protect flocks. (read more)

2015-16 SHEEP PROGRAMS
Source: SPANS
The Sheep Producers Association of Nova Scotia is pleased to announce that we will be offering two industry programs in 2015-2016. The first is the continuation of the Sheep Handling and Parasite Control Program and the second is the Elite Ram Program.
The objective of the Sheep Handling and Parasite Control Program is to provide support to sheep producers for the purchase of fencers, electric fencing and posts, page-wire fencing and posts, livestock gates and handling crates. The objective is the Elite Ram Program is to provide support to sheep producers for the purchase of genetically superior purebred rams. (read more)

THIS IS SHELL’S DREAM
Source: Sum of US
A few weeks ago, the Canadian government gave it permission to drill for oil off Nova Scotia’s coast – and the company doesn’t need to cap an oil blowout for 21 days. Are they kidding? Shell will be allowed to freely spill oil into the ocean for three weeks, potentially wreaking environmental havoc on Canada’s amazing marine life, major fishing grounds, coastal communities and the Sable Island National Park Reserve, the world’s largest breeding colony of Gray seals. Now it’s down to the offshore oil regulator – the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) – to decide whether to approve the application. (read more)

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP USES SHOCKING METHOD TO CATCH FISH
Source: CBC.ca
The Shediac Bay Watershed Association is using a device that stuns fish in order to allow the group to get an idea of how many species are living in Dionne Brook. Jolyne Hébert, the field technician with the association, wears an electro-fishing backpack and accompanying wand, which look straight out of the 1984 comedy Ghostbusters. But standing in water and wearing a contraption that is capable of sending out 1,000 volts of electricity is no laughing matter. (read more)

QUARRY APPROVAL ISSUED
Source: N.S. Dept of Environment
The Department of Environment has issued an operating approval to Scotian Materials Ltd., for a quarry under four hectares on Perrin Drive, near Fall River, Halifax Regional Municipality. The approval includes terms and conditions to ensure the environment and public health are protected. Included among the conditions are: monitoring requirements for ground and surface water; dust monitoring; noise level limits; blasting limitations. Under the approval, the company will also be required to establish a community liaison committee that includes representation from the area. In accordance with provincial regulations, projects like this are assessed and approved by department staff. Quarries under four hectares do not require ministerial approval or notification. (read more)