Timothy Ford quoted in McClatchy-Tribune News Service story on USDA program that exterminates geese

UNE Vice President for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies Timothy Ford, Ph.D., was interviewed for an Aug. 18, 2011 McClatchy-Tribune News Service investigative story titled "Taxpayers subsidizing wild life extermination program, probe shows," which looked a the USDA's Wildlife Services division. 

The division is charged with overseeing the nation's wildlife conflicts involving agricultural and property damage, and human health and safety. According to the story, U.S. taxpayers are subsidizing a $126.5 million program that exterminates more than 4 million wild animals annually, including thousands of geese, which were the focus of the story.

Ford, whose field is public health, told the reporter that he knows of no studies linking Canada geese to human health problems. "The science just isn't there to support that reasoning."

More than 10 media outlets around the nation ran the story, including the Kansas City Star, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, and Sacramento Bee.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.