05/26/08 Disease Lab & Holiday Gas Prices

Disease Lab & Holiday Gas Prices plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. For years now research on some nasty animal diseases has taken place in a facility located on an island. The 54-year old Plum Island Animal Disease Center is outdated and they are looking for a new location. But just where do you locate a facility that deals with some of the worst kinds of viruses? NPPC Director of Science and Technology Dr. Jen Greiner says that could be on the U.S. mainland but some major risk assessment need to be done. GREINER: What's the existence of susceptible animal populations around the facility? The second one was the ability of the federal and state government to control and eradicate that disease. The third one is environmental consequences and impact on wildlife populations if they outbreak and then finally the economic consequences to the livestock industry if an outbreak were to occur. There are a lot of folks on the road this long Memorial weekend, but probably not as many as last year as gasoline prices have curtailed some travel plans. Crude oil prices topped $135 dollars a barrel and the average gallon of gas was about $3.88. Oil execs were on Capitol Hill last week answering some tough questions but for all the smoke, there was very little heat put on the group. Many holiday activities have stayed close to home with family gatherings and barbeques where the smoke just adds to the flavor. And speaking of the holiday&here's Lacy Gray with today's Food Forethought. It is hard to believe that it is time once again to celebrate Memorial Day. It is also hard to believe that there are a lot of people out there that do not know the real meaning behind this national holiday. Sadly, Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, has turned into nothing more than an excuse for another long weekend in which to party and overindulge. This holiday originated to commemorate U.S. men and women who died in military service, beginning with Union soldiers in the American Civil War. In addition to honoring service men and women the holiday expanded to honor and remember all loved ones who had died. So this Memorial Day in addition to the family barbeque, picnics and sporting events, take a moment to remember those who gave their lives in service to their country, also firemen and police officers who gave their lives in the line of duty in your community. As one of this nation's greatest presidents Abraham Lincoln once said, "Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure." Thanks Lacy. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.