Deputy Under Secretary Gary Woodward; Dr. Lynn McMullen, Dr. Steve Larsen and Bill Hewat will be the featured speakers at the American Meat Science Association‘s (AMSA) 68th Reciprocal Meat Conference(RMC) Hot Topic Symposium. The session, set for June 14-17, 2015, will be held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Topics will include:

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Programs and Their Link to Science: USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) facilitates domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and ensures the health and care of animals and plants, and are active participants in setting national and international standards. 

Heat Resistant Escherichia coli: Why They Don’t Die! Dr. McMullen, Professor, Food Microbiology, Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, will discuss the implications of heat resistant organisms for the meat industry.

PEDv in Swine – Status and Impact: Checkoff has funded millions of dollars in PEDv research and have worked with veterinarians, producers and packers to help control PEDv. In this presentation Dr. Steve Larsen, Director of Pork Safety with the National Pork Board, will include a review of Checkoff funded PEDv research and the lessons learned from dealing with PEDv.

Overview of the 2015 Avian Influenza Outbreak: The U.S. has suffered the largest Avian Influenza epornitic in recent history. The highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza has infected more than 150 commercial poultry farms. In this presentation will review the HPAI H5N2 virus, the impact on the industry and the steps that are being taken to eradicate the disease.

For more information please visit: http://www.meatscience.org/rmc or contact Deidrea Mabry 1-800-517-AMSA ext. 12.