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Farmers Applaud Passage of MUMS Bill
New Law Offers Incentives
Dallas/TX/August 2004—The American Emu Association joins other farming
industries in celebrating the signing into law of the MUMS Bill on August 2,
2004. The new law offers incentives to pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs
for uncommon diseases in the major species and drugs for minor species by
offering grants as well as orphan drug status.
Minor species include (but, are not limited to): sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas,
ducks, geese, emus and ostrich. Minor species have been at a disadvantage in
having their illnesses and parasitic infestations treated due to a limited
supply of drugs approved by the FDA for use on these animals.
“There are over 5 thousand emu farms in the U. S. with around 50 thousand emu,”
said AEA President Gerald Edwards, “ The availability of FDA approved drugs for
emu will improve the welfare of our livestock by removing the uncertainty of
treatment.” Edwards went on to say that while emu had a reputation for hardiness
the industry was especially interested in preventatives such as EEE vaccines and
anti-parasitic drugs. “We hope that passage of this bill will result in better
tools for our veterinarians.”
For more information about the American Emu Association (AEA) or the emu
industry visit the AEA website www.aea-emu.org or call 541-332-0675.
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