DATE:     9/26/97
CONTACTS: Dr. Jones Bryan,  (803) 788-2260
          Bob Schuster, (864) 646-2210 
WRITER:   Bill Baker,   (864) 656-3875

Clemson Breaks Ground For $5.1 Million Animal Diagnostic Center

     COLUMBIA -- Gov. David Beasley will break ground for Clemson
University's $5.1 million Animal Diagnostic Center in a Sept. 26
ceremony at the Richland County Industrial Park.
     The planned 25,000-square-foot scientific center will house
the State Veterinarian's Office, as well as the three departments
of Clemson's Livestock-Poultry Health Division  -- Animal Health
Programs, the S.C. Meat and Poultry Inspection Department, and
the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory. The state-of-the-art facility
will allow the laboratory to serve South Carolina veterinarians
and animal owners, who submit some 25,000 samples for diagnosis
annually.
      "The work of  this Clemson University outreach program
affects every South Carolina citizen who raises farm animals,
owns a pet, or enjoys meat, poultry and egg products," said
Dr. Jones Bryan, director of Clemson's Livestock-Poultry Health
Division.
     Commissioner of Agriculture Les Tindal; Rivers Scarborough,
chairman of The Egg & I Farms; Clemson President Constantine
Curris; and Dr. John Kelly, Clemson's vice president for public
service and agriculture, will also attend the 9:30 a.m. ceremony, 
which will take place on the construction site at Lot 32, located
on Clemson Road.
     The Livestock-Poultry Health Division provides constant
surveillance for diseases that affect both people and animals,
diagnostic expertise for the treatment and eradication of
domestic animal diseases, and inspection and testing of meat and
poultry products. In addition, the laboratory offers diagnostic
support to the state Department of Natural Resources and the
state's aquaculture programs.
     One of the strategic initiatives of Clemson University
Public Service Activities is to ensure a safe and reliable food
supply. 
     "This facility will give us an improved capability to
support state meat and poultry inspections in the area of food
safety," said laboratory director Dr. Joe Hill. "We will also be
able to give increased support to industries that export meat and
poultry products, and must meet a variety of inspection
requirements."
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