Botulism Outbreak Blamed For Deaths Of 23 Horses

GORHAM, Maine -- A state veterinarian says 23 horses have died this month at one Gorham farm and investigators suspect an outbreak of botulism.


Don Hoenig says the toxin is not contagious and may have been in the animals' feed. State inspectors suspect that the bacteria grew in bales of what is called baleage or haylage, which is grass wrapped in plastic.

He says state officials learned of the horses' deaths last week. It does not appear the animals were neglected.


Continued:   http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/30976653/detail.html 

Peru's vanishing fish stocks 'devastated' by corruption and growing fishmeal demand

Soaring global demand for fishmeal primarily for animal feed or fish farms, including salmon, is wrecking havoc on the once abundant fish stocks of the southern Pacific

The fish stocks of the southern Pacific and in particular Peru are being plundered by widespread cheating and overfishing, according to a new investigation.

Peru is the world’s second largest fishing nation after China, with the majority of its catch converted into fishmeal, a feed for farmed fish and pigs. More than a million tons a year exported mostly to Asia, in a trade worth $1.6 billion.

Read more:  http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/1218644/perus_vanishing_fish_stocks_devastated_by_corruption_and_growing_fishmeal_demand.html