Press Release

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

USDA AMENDS BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS CLASSIFICATION OF NEW MEXICO

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2003--The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is amending the bovine tuberculosis regulations regarding state and zone classifications by removing New Mexico from the list of accredited-free states and adding it to a list of modified accredited advanced states. This action is being taken to help prevent the spread of tuberculosis because New Mexico no longer meets the requirements for accredited-free state status.

Recently, two tuberculosis-affected herds were detected in Roosevelt County, N.M. Under the regulations, if two or more affected herds are detected in an accredited-free state or zone within a 48-month period, the state or zone will be reclassified as modified accredited advanced. The two herds have been quarantined, and a complete epidemiologic investigation into the potential sources of the disease is being conducted. In cooperation with the state, APHIS has tested area cattle continuously for tuberculosis since the disease was detected.

Notice of this action is published in the July 24 Federal Register and becomes effective upon publication. However, the date for complying with certain requirements of 9 CFR 77.10 for sexually intact heifers, steers and spayed heifers moving interstate from New Mexico is Sept. 30.

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/.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Sept. 22. 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. 03-044-1, 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. Your 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. 03-044-1" 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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