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Reports of Bird Flu Outbreak in Idaho a Wake Up Call for California; Reminding Voters in the State About Dangers of PROP. 2

As first reported by the Associated Press and picked up inCalifornia newspapers statewide (http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_10383002), Idaho Department of Agriculture officials quarantined aBoise bird farm after a strain of Bird Flu was identified. The virus at theIdaho farm was classified as the H5N8 strain. According to the AP, the birds were kept in an outside pen area and could have been exposed to the virus through droppings from a wild bird flying or roosting overhead.

"The infected birds inIdaho were kept in an uncontrolled, outdoor area that allowed for increased exposure to migratory birds which are known to carry the Bird Flu virus. This environment is similar to the one proposed by the proponents of Prop. 2," said Julie Buckner, spokeswoman for Californians for SAFE Food. "Prop. 2 recklessly bans the modern, sanitary and clean housing systems used by mostCalifornia egg farmers and instead mandates a system that hazardously exposes egg-laying hens inCalifornia to direct contact with migratory birds from out-of-state and overseas which undermines our public health and safety."

Nearly allCalifornia egg farmers currently adhere to the toughest, most stringent food safety standards in the U.S. under the California Egg Quality Assurance Plan (CEQAP), which requires thatCalifornia egg farms use the most modern, safe and sanitary housing systems that ensure optimal feed, light, air, water, space and sanitation for egg-laying hens. Prop. 2 recklessly and arbitrarily eliminates this safe and practical system ignoring the negative impact on both the animals and humans.

"TheIdaho outbreak should be a wake up call that systems that allow commercial flocks to be exposed to migratory birds are impractical, dangerous and can directly lead to further Bird Flu outbreaks," said Nancy Reimers, DVM, MSpVM, Diplomate - American College of Poultry Veterinarians. "Studies prove that indoor bird housing systems virtually eliminate bird flu infections. Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza viruses are a tragedy for poultry and we have to do our best to protect the birds and ourselves."

On August 26, 2008, The Times ofIndia (http://tinyurl.com/6fl9yq) reported, "the bird flu virus, that causedIndia's worst Avian Influenza (AI) outbreak this year, has been found to be 'a lot similar' to the one that created havoc inBangladesh." The article went on to note, "the H5N1 outbreak that broke out in West Bengal in January this year, spread to nearly 13 of the state's 19 districts. The H5N1 virus was first detected inBangladesh in March 2007. Since then, over 47 of the country's 64 districts had been affected by bird flu."

Proposition 2 is a risky, dangerous and costly measure banning almost all modern egg production inCalifornia. Proposition 2 jeopardizes food safety and public health, wipes out Californians' access to locally grown, fresh eggs, and harms consumers by driving up prices at grocery stores and restaurants and creating a dependency on eggs shipped from other states and Mexico that do not have the same high food safety standards asCalifornia.

Background

Californians for SAFE Food is a broad-based and growing coalition of public health and food safety experts, labor unions, consumers, family farmers and veterinarians who want to keep food choices inCalifornia safe, local and affordable. The coalition has already received the endorsement of a number of prominent groups and individuals, including the American College of Poultry Veterinarians; Agricultural Council ofCalifornia; Association of California Veterinarians; Association of Veterinarians in Egg Production; California Conference Board of the Amalgamated Transit Union; California Grocers Association; California Small Business Association; California State Firefighters' Association; California Teamsters Public Affairs Council; California Women for Agriculture; Congress of California Seniors; Kern County Taxpayers Association; Marin County Farm Bureau;Merced County Board of Supervisors; Mexican American Political Association; National Animal Interest Alliance; National Latino Congreso; Neighborhood Market Association; San Diego County Farm Bureau; Sonoma County Farm Bureau; United Food & Commercial Workers Western States Council; Dr. Craig Reed, DVM, former Deputy Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA; among many others.

For more information about the Californians for SAFE Food coalition and the "NO on Proposition 2" campaign, visit http://www.NOonProp2.com.

Contact: Matt Sampson

T: 213-362-9539

E: media@safecaliforniafood.org

SOURCE Californians for SAFE Food