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Animal
Health Laboratory
This section
is responsible for analyzing blood serum for Brucellosis, Pullorum Typhoid,
MG, MS, Pseudorabies, Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), Bovine Leucosis
(BL) and Blue Tongue (BT). Milk is also analyzed for Brucellosis. Results
are reported to the Animal Health Section. This section is also responsible
for issuing supplies to slaughter plants.
In Fiscal
Year 1995, the Animal Health Laboratory began screening blood serum from
horses used in pulling contests at the State's agricultural fairs. Samples
were tested for the presence of performance enhancing drugs. Each sample
was analyzed for caffeine, dexamethasone, furosemide and phenyl butazone.
The fairs were charged a nominal fee to cover the cost of testing.
Dairy
Products Laboratory
(Central Dairy Testing Laboratory)
This section
is responsible for analyzing dairy products sold within the state on a
monthly basis for the Dairy Section to ensure they meet U.S. Food and
Drug Administration and State minimum standards. This laboratory also
analyzes all farm water supplies used for the cleaning and sanitizing
of milk equipment.
Routine
testing includes butterfat, bacteria counts, phosphatase, antibiotics,
freeze points and somatic cell counts.
A small,
but continuous, commercial laboratory business has been in existence for
years to counteract the shortage of commercial laboratories in the state.
Work is performed on a fee basis.
Meat
Inspection Laboratory
The laboratory
provides services to the Meat Inspection Section, consumers and the meat
industry. Its legal mandate is to ensure that meat and meat products are
wholesome and unadulterated as well as in compliance with State and Federal
regulations.
In Fiscal
Year 1996, the laboratory received a large number of samples from new
companies producing beef jerky. Samples are commonly tested for fat content,
protein, moisture and salt. Occasionally, additional chemical testing
may be required.
Pesticide
Analysis Laboratory
The pesticide
laboratory was created to monitor pesticide formulations sold at the retail
level, pesticide applicators and their products, and to check pesticide
residue levels in areas which may have been treated. These services are
performed for the Plant Industry Section to ensure safety of the public
from the misuse of pesticides.
The Pesticide
Monitoring Program is continuing to survey corn herbicide levels in wells
near cornfields, as well as long term monitoring wells. Additionally,
the department is continuing to survey wells around fruit and vegetable
operations for the presence of Dacthal and metabolites, Terbacil, Devrinol
and corn herbicides.
In Fiscal
Year 1995, the laboratory expanded the monitoring program to include the
analysis of phenoxy herbicides in some monitoring samples.
In June
1996, this section collaborated with the Health Department Laboratory
on analyzing maple syrup for suspected carcinogenic compounds leaching
from defective plastic tubing.
Feed
and Fertilizer Laboratory
The feed
and fertilizer laboratory is responsible for analyzing feed and fertilizer
products sold on the retail market to ensure they meet label guarantees
and to monitor farm water supplies for the presence of fertilizer contamination.
The laboratory
staff analyzed maple syrup produced in Vermont and surrounding states
for lead levels. In Fiscal Year 1996, the staff was asked to analyze aluminum
levels in maple syrup filtered using an ionic system.
Each section
in the laboratory participates, at least annually, in national proficiency
testing programs. Sections are approved by their Federal counterparts
to do the official analysis for the interstate shipment of animals, dairy
products, meats, animal feeds and fertilizers. The pesticide laboratory
is recognized in the analysis of pesticides.
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