Press Release

Madelaine Fletcher	(301) 734-6125
Jerry Redding	(202) 720-6959

USDA REOPENS COMMENT PERIOD FOR PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS REGULATIONS

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2003--The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is reopening the comment period for a proposed rule that would amend the bovine tuberculosis regulations by establishing two tuberculosis classification zones in Michigan.

APHIS is also proposing to raise the designation of one of those zones from modified accredited to modified accredited advanced.

This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments. The proposal is based on the determination that Michigan meets the requirements for zone recognition and that one of those zones meets the criteria for designation as modified accredited advanced. Currently, Michigan is classified as modified accredited for cattle and bison.

The modified accredited zone would include Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Montmorency, Oscoda, Ostego and Presque Isle counties, along with portions of Iosco and Ogemaw counties. The modified accredited advanced zone would consist of the remainder of the state.

Bovine tuberculosis is a contagious, infectious and communicable disease affecting cattle, bison, deer, elk and humans. The disease can cause lesions of the lung and bone, wither loss and general debilitation. Bovine tuberculosis can be fatal.

Notice of this original action was published in the April 7 Federal Register. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

APHIS is reopening the comment period on Docket 02-112-1 for an additional 30 days. Notice of this action was published in the June 25 Federal Register.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before July 25 as well as to comments received between June 7 and the date of this notice. Comments may be submitted by postal mail, commercial delivery or by e-mail. Send an original and three copies of postal or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. 02-112-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238. If you use e-mail, address your comments to regulations@aphis.usda.gov. Comments must be contained in the body of the message; do not send attached files. Please include your name and address in the message and use "Docket No. 02-112-1" on the subject line.

Comments may be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to review comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

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