Bill, the Marshall Farms discussion seems to be going in circles again,
with some mentioning old problems that have been corrected for 6 years,
and others saying that a balance has to be achieved since (to be fair, or
to get anyone to listen) *data has to be current and accurate*.  May I
suggest that unless someone finds and prints a direct link to the CURRENT
USDA data (not through someone else who might alter it in either direction,
but directly from the USDA itself), or something else that is NEW that the
topic be dropped now?  One thing that I WOULD like to see discussed would
be constructive discussion of what inclusions (SPECIFICS) would possibly
make sense to include in any formal proposal for federal standards that
would apply to ALL.  Remember that the WORST conditions exist in the
"back-yard breeders" which are the ferret equivalent of "puppy mills" (and
that these places often move around from state to state when they get in
trouble), and that although the large "farms" are better than the backyard
breeders that they, too, as a group certainly have room for improvement.
Fortunately, since the farms are inspected they have to meet certain
standards or be closed down so are better living conditions than in the
backyard breeding situation, but nowhere near as kind as at a good private
breeder.
 
That there is room for improvement everyone agrees, but to improve people
can't call for changes which have already happened.  Instead.  CURRENT AND
ACCURATE USDA DATA are needed on ALL the farm breeders for best results.
 
Could this go into "something new or it's returned" mode, so that any
cycles are at least productive ones?
 
[Moderator's note: I think it's nearly there -- let's see what comes in
tomorrow before closing it... BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 3179]