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The Agricultural Chemistry Department serves as the official state regulatory laboratory for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture. This department provides chemical analyses of agricultural products to insure that they meet guarantees and/or other state and federal requirements, and monitors for toxic or adulterated materials.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: This laboratory provides chemical analyses to support the regulatory program of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry related to the sale and use of agricultural chemicals. These analyses are used to determine if the products used conform to state and federal guidelines. The analyses also may be used to determine that the chemicals are being applied safely and correctly so as not to endanger plant and animal life or the environment. BSE, "mad cow disease", continues as a concern. To compliment the FDA inspection-based program, all official ruminant feeds will be tested for prohibited ruminant material in addition to label guarantees. Fish, shrimp and crawfish will be tested for antibiotic residues. If violations are found these products will be removed from the marketplace.
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APPROACH: Samples of agricultural chemicals, feeds, fertilizers, oil amendments, pet foods, meat, fish, and other food products are taken for analyses by inspectors from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The samples are sent to the appropriate program director then forwarded to the laboratory. The results of the analyses are sent back to the directors who initiate regulatory action, if any is necessary.
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PROGRESS: 2007/07 TO 2007/12 <BR>
OUTPUTS: During the six months, 07/01/2007 through 12/31/2007, the following samples were analyzed for the State Department of Agriculture and Forestry: Official Feeds 1,103, 41.14%, Official Pet Foods, 366, 13.65%; Official Fertilizers, 94 total, 3.51%; Official Agricultural Limes, 29 total, 1.08%; Official Pesticide Formulations and Structural mixes, 167 total, 6.23%; Official Meat, 276 total, 10.29%; Official Residues, 204 total, 7.61%; HAACP, 116, 4.33%, Ruminant Feeds for BSE Program, 326, 12.16%. The total number of samples was 2,681, 100%. Analytical results are used to determine if agricultural chemicals and certain agricultural products are in compliance with state and federal laws. <BR>PARTICIPANTS: Dr. David Boethel, State Chemist and Vice Chancellor, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Dr. Robert L. Beine, Director of Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural Chemistry Staff, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry<BR> TARGET AUDIENCES: State and Federal Regulatory Officials, Agricultural Industry, Farmers, general public
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IMPACT: 2007/07 TO 2007/12<BR>
The Agricultural Chemistry laboratory provides chemical analyses to support the regulatory program of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry related to the sale and use of agricultural feeds and chemicals. These analyses are used to determine if the products conform to state and federal guidelines. The analyses may also be used to determine that the chemicals are being applied safely and correctly so as not to endanger plant and animal life or the environment. BSE continues to be a special concern. To complement the FDA inspection-based program, all official ruminant feeds, 326 samples, were also tested for prohibited ruminant material, with no confirmed positive results for prohibited material. Our regulatory efforts provide the consumer with confidence that the agricultural commodities purchased in Louisiana meet the highest quality standards. Of special interest to construction efforts in Louisiana, the Pesticide laboratory continues to include testing of both formulations and structural pesticides (termidicides) tank mixes as well as agricultural use pesticides.