Cindy Ragin (301) 734-7280
Suzanne Bond (301) 734-5175
USDA AMENDS BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS REGULATIONS IN NEW MEXICO
WASHINGTON, March 20, 2009--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has determined that New Mexico meets the requirements for zone classification and will be removed from the list of modified accredited advanced states for bovine tuberculosis (TB).
Previously, the entire state of New Mexico was classified as modified accredited advanced. However, all of the state’s affected herds are located in a small area along its eastern border. Based on this, APHIS has determined that New Mexico meets our requirements for zone classification. Therefore, we are removing it from the list of modified accredited advanced states and are adding an area consisting of Curry and Roosevelt counties, N. Mex., to the list of modified accredited advanced zones. The remainder of the state will be added to the list of accredited free zones. This action relieves restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle and bison from these areas of New Mexico outside of the modified accredited zone in two counties.
Bovine TB 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 consumption of pasteurized milk. If producers suspect TB in their herds, they should isolate the animal immediately and contact their veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.
Notice of this interim rule is scheduled for publication in the March 23 Federal Register and becomes effective upon publication.
Consideration will be given to comments received on or before May 22. Send two copies of postal or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. APHIS-2008-0124, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Comments can be submitted on the Federal eRulemaking portal at
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2008-0124.
Comments are posted on the Regulations.gov Web site and also can be viewed 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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