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Contact:
Workabeba Yigzaw (301) 538-9213
Joelle Hayden (301) 734-0595
USDA Upgrades Michigan’s Bovine Tuberculosis Status, Lessening Restrictions on Movement of Cattle and Bison
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2011--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending the boundaries of the bovine tuberculosis risk classification zones for the state of Michigan.
Fifty-seven counties now meet the requirements for accredited-free status. In addition, Presque Isle County, which is currently designated modified accredited, now meets the requirements for modified accredited advanced status. These actions lessen restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle and bison from these areas of Michigan.
APHIS classifies states or zones within states according to their prevalence levels of bovine tuberculosis. There are five classifications: accredited free, modified accredited advanced, modified accredited, accredited preparatory and nonaccredited. Restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle and bison become less stringent as a state approaches or achieves accredited-free status.
Bovine tuberculosis is a contagious and infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis. It affects cattle, bison, deer, elk, goats and other warm-blooded species and can be fatal. The disease can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals or consumption of raw milk. It is not transmitted through pasteurized milk.
Notice of this interim rule is published in the Sept. 14 Federal Register and becomes effective upon publication.
Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Nov. 11. You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
- Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0075. - Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2011-0075, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.
Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0075 or in our reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. To facilitate entry into the comment reading room, please call (202)690-2817.
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USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call
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