Over the years, the AVMA has benefited from its liaison relationships and collaborations with other organizations. At the recent Executive Board meeting, the AVMA voted on several liaison items.

The board approved $2,800 to establish a liaison relationship with the Animal Producers Sub-Council of the Food and Agriculture Coordinating Council. This newly formed entity provides communication with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal and state departments and agencies, for the purpose of protecting animal agriculture. Dr. Lyle Vogel, director of the AVMA Scientific Activities Division, will be the liaison representative. The approved money will cover four meetings per year in Washington, D.C.

The AVMA will co-sponsor the 2005 National Institute for Animal Agriculture annual meeting at a level of $2,000. The AVMA has sponsored previous meetings of the NIAA and its predecessor organization, starting in 1998. "It is a worthy organization in support of animal agriculture," Dr. Vogel said.

The board also approved $2,000 to co-sponsor the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges educational symposium "The Use of Animals and Alternatives in Veterinary Medical Education." The meeting will be held in March 2006 in Washington, D.C.

"This is an opportunity for AAVMC and AVMA to work in concert," said AVMA immediate past president, Dr. Jack Walther. "I strongly feel we need to be involved in it."

This symposium will focus on ethics in the use of animals in teaching, best practices, and alternatives to using animals. The total cost for the symposium is estimated at $35,000. The AAVMC is seeking funds from other agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and National Institutes of Health's National Center for Research Resources.

The board voted to end one liaison relationship—its ties with the United States Delegation to the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Codex Task Force on Animal Feeding. This task force has completed its job, submitted its final report, and been disbanded.