STRICTLY BUSINESS: A HEARD OF FISH? A FLOCK OF SHRIMP?

Will fish soon be at the Southeast Missouri District Fair livestock tents?

Yes, if the USDA has its way.

"Herds, grazes, round up and flocks" may soon become more common names in aquaculture in the future.

Aquaculture is making a big splash in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois, and, in the near future, it may become another phase of livestock farming.

The USDA is considering placing farm-raised fish under the category of livestock.

A national program could help protect the health of farm-raised fish, help producers of farm-raised fish meet international trade requirements, and help encourage international trade in U.S. aquaculture products.

The USDA has received a number of petitions asking the department to promulgate animal health regulations and perhaps other regulatory programs to deal with farm-raised fish as livestock. These petitions are from state farm bureaus, industry associations, individual producers, state officials, and businesses that serve aquaculture industries.

Defining livestock

One petition requested that we define domesticated farm-raised fish as livestock "so that USDA can provide farmers with needed services identical to those received by other American farm-raised animals," said Craig Reed, administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services.

Most petitions received addressed only "farm-raised fin fish," but others addressed a broader range of aquatic species.

One letter stated that the USDA should recognize the entire aquatic industry -- "clams, aquatic plants, alligators, tropical fish and fish raised for human consumption" -- as "general farming." One stated that we should define "farmed aquatic animals, such as fish and shrimp," as livestock.

The petitioners are concerned mainly with receiving the same services that domestic producers of livestock receive for animals moving in interstate and foreign commerce. Examples are diagnostic and certification services, protecting the industry by preventing importation of pests and diseases, and supporting commerce by simplifying interstate movement.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is authorized to regulate to protect the health of livestock and poultry in the United States. Many regulatory programs cover poultry, horses, swine, cattle and other livestock.

Traditional programs

Programs for "traditional" livestock are intended to: (1) Prevent the importation of diseases and pests; (2) regulate interstate movement in a uniform manner; (3) provide diagnostic laboratory services; (4) regulate vaccines and biologic re-agents used in animals; and (5) control and/or eradicate diseases and pests already found in the United States.

Fish farmers grow and carve out a very important niche in America's overall agriculture, noted Reed.

"Last year, U.S. consumers ate a pound of catfish for every man, woman and child," said Reed. "That's a lot of catfish."

Denny Banister of Jefferson City, Mo., assistant director of information and public relations for the Missouri Farm Bureau, says placing fish in the livestock category can be a win-win situation for both farmers and consumer.

It also has its humorous side.

Can you picture fish as livestock?

Banister says when he thinks of livestock, he thinks of four-legged critters.

"Even my dictionary defines livestock as domestic animals, such as cattle or horses.' " he said.

Banister adds that the closest fish to the definition of livestock would be the "humpbacked buffalo" or the "sea horses."

And, then there's the religious issue, says Banister.

"If fish are considered livestock, what would we be able to eat on Friday during lent?"