Suzan Holl (301) 734-6464
Jerry Redding (202) 720-4623
USDA ADOPTS FINAL RULE REGARDING BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS FOR MINNESOTA
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2006--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has adopted, without change, an interim rule amending bovine tuberculosis regulations by removing Minnesota from the list of accredited-free states and adding it to the list of modified accredited advanced states.
This rule is necessary to help prevent the spread of bovine TB because Minnesota no longer meets the requirements for accredited-free state status. Minnesota identified three affected herds in fiscal year 2005 and two in FY 2006. In addition, two infected, wild, white-tailed deer were found in close proximity of one of the index herds. These deer were confirmed positive by laboratory testing in January 2006.
Minnesota is performing epidemiologic investigations and testing for all herds linked to the five affected herds in the state. In accordance with federal regulations, Minnesota has written a TB management response plan that calls for wider surveillance regarding TB in cattle, wild deer, outreach and educational initiatives for shareholders.
If Minnesota completes all requirements in the federal regulations and find no more infection in livestock, they would be eligible to regain accredited-free status for TB in January 2008. The status of a state or zone is based on its freedom from evidence of TB in cattle and bison, the effectiveness of the state’s TB eradication program and the degree of the state’s compliance with standards for cattle and bison contained in the Uniform Methods and Rules.
Bovine TB is a contagious and infections disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis. It affects cattle, bison, deer, elk, goats and other warm-blooded species and can be fatal.
This final rule became effective Jan. 24 and is published in the Aug. 30 Federal Register.
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