Suzan Holl (301) 734-6464
Jerry Redding (202) 720-4623
USDA CHANGES WYOMING’S BRUCELLOSIS STATUS TO CLASS FREE
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2006--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is amending its brucellosis regulations concerning interstate movement of cattle by changing Wyoming’s classification from Class A to Class Free. APHIS has determined that Wyoming has met the standards for Class Free status.
Class Free status is based on a state finding no known brucellosis in cattle for the 12 months preceding designation as Class Free. Restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle become less stringent as a state approaches or achieves Class Free status. This action relieves certain restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle from Wyoming.
The classifications for brucellosis are as follows: Class Free, Class A, Class B and
Class C. The Class C designation is for states or areas with the highest rate of brucellosis. States or areas that do not meet the minimum standards for Class C are required to be placed under federal quarantine.
Brucellosis is a contagious, costly disease of ruminants and other animals that can also affect humans. It is mainly a threat to cattle, bison and swine. The disease causes decreased milk production, weight loss in animals, loss of young, infertility and lameness. There is no known treatment. Depopulation of infected and exposed animals is the only effective means of disease containment and eradication.
The United States is almost entirely free of brucellosis. Only two states, Texas and Idaho, are affected with cattle brucellosis. Both states are designated as Class A.
This interim rule became effective Sept. 12 and was published in the Sept. 15 Federal Register.
Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Nov. 14. Send an original and three copies of postal mail or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0138, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238. If you wish to submit a comment using the Internet, go to the Federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov and, in the ASearch Regulations and Federal Actions @ box, select AAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service @ from the agency drop-down menu; then click on ASubmit. @ In the Docket ID column, select APHIS-2006-0138 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
Comments are posted on the Regulations.gov Web site and may also be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th St. and Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C., 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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