An international delegation from Thailand visited Utah today with the objective of enhancing trade relations between the two regions.  The group is hosted by the Division of Business and Economic Development's International Business Development Office.   The International Business Development Office will conduct a workshop on doing business with Thailand from 10 a.m.-noon in the Department of Community and Economic Development, 324 S. State Street, Fifth Floor, Room 501, Salt Lake City.

The United States is Thailand's largest export market with exports valued at $14.8 billion.  Utah exported goods valued at $29 million to Thailand in 2002.  President Bush is scheduled to visit Thailand in October of this year.

1:03:21 PM    

To meet the expanding needs of animal and human health protection, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) and Utah State University (USU) announce the opening of the Central Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Nephi, Utah. The laboratory serves as a primary line of defense to detect and prevent the spread of animal diseases, especially those diseases that are transmissible from animals to humans.

“The new Nephi lab is an important addition in our efforts to protect animal and human health,” said Utah Commission of Agriculture and Food, Cary G. Peterson. “It will employ highly trained individuals using the latest technology to promote homeland security and deter bioterrorism,” he added.

The 5,000 square foot building replaces a similar facility in Provo that will be closing later this year. The laboratory will promote healthy animals, safe food and thus healthy people.  “It is not only concerned with medicine for food animals, but with the health and well being of companion animals such as dogs, cats and horses. It is also concerned with the health of wildlife and exotic pets such as turtles, birds and reptiles,” said State Veterinarian, Dr. Michael R. Marshall.

The goal of the lab is to promote the health and well being of the animal kingdom, and thereby
protect human health and safety, and quality of life.

The Lab is a partnership between the Utah Legislature, UDAF, USU, Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Utah livestock industry. It will continue to be staffed primarily with veterinarians who will perform medical examinations of animals and animal remains to closely monitor animal diseases in the state.

“This partnership to create a new lab comes at an important time for Utah farmers and ranchers who face an increasingly difficult economic climate and new disease challenges at our state’s borders,” said Dr. Paul Rassmussen, Diector, USU Agricultural Experiment Station. “This companion to the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Logan will help Utah agriculture be more competitive in an ever challenging market,” he added.

12:06:10 PM