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Tom McPheron
Phone: 847-285-6781
Cell: 773-494-5419
e-mail: tmcpheron@avma.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 14, 2007

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.

— The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) House of Delegates (HOD) met during the association's annual convention in Washington, DC, on July 13 and 14, 2007, and discussed the AVMA's policy toward foie gras, set an AVMA policy on microchip identification databases for pets, and elected HOD council and committee members.

HOD members approved of a resolution that the AVMA endorses the use of microchip registration databases, but that these databases need to kept strictly for the purpose of reuniting animals and owners. This resolution opposes the use of these microchip databases for marketing or referrals of other products and services.

The resolution states that if the microchip databases were used by companies to collect personal information then that lack of privacy would likely decrease the number of pet owners who get identification microchips implanted in their pets. Microchips are used as a permanent identification. Identification information is implanted on a chip implanted into a pet, which allows the dog or cat to be identified even without tags.

The HOD members debated over two foie gras resolutions: one to set an AVMA policy opposed to the practice of artificially force feeding ducks and geese to produce foie, and a second resolution that would state that the AVMA approves of the production of foie gras. Both resolutions failed to gain approval.

The HOD first voted down the AVMA resolution to oppose foie gras production. Dr. James M. Harris, delegate from the Association of Avian Veterinarians, spoke out against this resolution, stating: "China is the single largest producer of foie gras in the world, and if foie gras is no long produced in the United States, there is enough consumer demand for it that it will be imported. The question is if you want food inspected in the United States or if you want it inspected elsewhere."

Dr. Thomas Munschauer, the delegate from Vermont, stated: "The purpose of foie gras production is to produce a fatty liver which is a diseased liver. I have a problem with that, as a veterinarian, condoning an agricultural practice that produces a disease."

The resolution to support foie gras survived two amendments to send it to the Animal Welfare Committee and the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association, but ultimately failed when called to a vote.

The House of Delegates did pass an amendment to it's bylaws to hold a second HOD meeting every year, instead of just one, which is the current practice. This will bring about a second HOD meeting in the winter.

The HOD also elected members to posts on committees and councils, including:

• Dr. Mark P Helfat to a three-year term as the private practice (mixed) representative, Dr. Barbara A. Schmidt to a three-year term as the private practice (equine predominant), and Dr. C. Gary Bullard to a three-year term as the member at large of the House Advisory Committee;
• Dr. John T. Waddell to a six-year term representing private clinical practice (food animal predominant) to the Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents;
• Dr. Helen K. McShane to a six-year-term representing private practice (small animal predominant) and Dr. Suzanne L. Craig to a six-year term as the member at large of the Council on Communications;
• Dr. Herbert E. Whiteley to a six-year term representing veterinary medical research, Dr. Nathan D. Voris to a six-year term representing private equine clinical practice, and Dr. Robert B. Cherenson to a an unexpired term (ending in 2012) representing private food animal clinical practice to the Council on Education;
• Dr. Tracy S. Duvernoy to a four-year term and Dr. Bhushan M. Jayarao to a six-year term representing the public health agencies or the armed forces, and Dr. Donald E. Hoenig to a six-year term representing agricultural agencies on the Council on Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine;
• Dr. G. David McCarroll to a six-year term representing private clinical practice, Don Reynolds to a six-year term representing veterinary medical research, and Dr. Kent Lloyd to an unexpired term (ending in 2008) representing veterinary medical research on the Council on Research;
• Dr. Carlos E. Bonnot to a six-year term representing private mixed practice (predominantly food animal or equine), Dr. Cheri A. Johnson to a six-year term representing academic clinical science, and Dr. Elysia Schaefer to an unexpired term (ending in 2010) representing recent graduates on the Council on Veterinary Service;
• and Dr. David G. Beauchamp to an unexpired term (ending 2010) on the Judicial Council.

Dr. Frederik J. Derksen and Dr. William S. Swecker went up for a run-off ballot for a six-year term representing large animal clinical practice on the Council on Education. Dr. William S. Swecker won the post.