2004 AMI Annual Convention and Innovation Showcase to Feature Animal Health Track

Arlington, VA – An animal health and production track featuring timely updates on animal disease, welfare and biotechnology issues will be featured at the American Meat Institute’s 2004 Annual Convention and Innovation Showcase, Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn.

The Animal Health and Production track includes a three-and-one-half hour education 'super session', Spotlight on Animal Disease, Thursday, Sept. 30 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. This session will provide scientific and regulatory updates regarding bovine spongiform encephalopathy, foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza. Speakers include Lisa Ferguson, DVM, senior staff veterinarian, USDA, Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory Director, David Swayne, Ph.D. and Mollie Waller, vice president, Nutrition and Health Promotion, Dairy Management, Inc. Beth Lautner, DVM, director of USDA's Plum Island Animal Disease Center is an invited speaker.

Also featured as part of the track is the session, A Layman's Guide to Animal Biotechnology, Friday, Oct. 1. from 8:30 – 10 a.m. Learn the basics of cloning, genomics and transgenic technology. Led by Steven Stice, Ph.D., University of Georgia, whose group produced the first genetically modified embryonic stem cell derived pigs and cattle. The session also features Dr. Barbara Glenn, director of animal biotechnology food and agriculture, BIO.

Animal Care and Welfare: Customer & Regulatory Developments is the topic Friday, Oct. 1, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Get an inside look at the goals of both the supplier and customer on animal care issues. Session features Kellye Pfalzgraf, DVM, of Tyson Foods and Randy Wilkinson, food safety and security, Wal-mart. Learn also what suppliers have been doing and continue to ensure the health of their animals.

The Annual convention features four education tracks: Meat Industry Research Conference, Animal Health and Production, Regulatory and Management and Consumers: Changes and Challenges.

Other convention highlights include:
· Special, pre-convention conference, 'Sanitary Facility Design';
· An Innovation Showcase featuring more than 125 exhibitors of the latest technologies.
· General session- The American Consumer In Changing Times: keynote Harry Balzer, vice president, The NPD Group;
· General session - Feeding The World: The Promise and Political Perils of Biotechnology; keynote Dennis Avery, director, Center for Global Food Issues.

Registration is $595 for AMI packer processors and exhibiting suppliers registering though August 27. Non-member packer-processors pay $695 through Aug. 27. After the Aug. 27 early bird deadline these rates increase by $100.
Other registration rates are detailed on the registration form. To register online, go to www.MeatAMI.com. For registration information, please contact Katie Brannan at kbrannan@MeatAMI.com or 703-841-3621.

Established in 1906, the American Meat Institute (AMI) is the nation's oldest and largest meat and poultry trade association. AMI is dedicated to increasing the efficiency, profitability and safety of meat and poultry trade worldwide.