USDA Changes Montana's Brucellosis Status
US - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending its brucellosis regulations concerning interstate movement of cattle by changing Montana’s classification from Class Free to Class A.
16 September 2008
1 minute read
They say that this action is necessary to prevent the spread of brucellosis. In order for a state to attain Class Free status, all cattle herds within that state must remain free of Brucella abortus for a period of 12 consecutive months preceding classification as Class Free.
Montana attained Class Free state status in June 1985. In May 2007, a single brucellosis affected cattle herd was confirmed in the state. Montana took immediate measures to maintain its Class Free status according to federal regulations. However, on June 9, 2008, another brucellosis affected herd was confirmed.
Both infected herds were within the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA), which houses the last known reservoir of brucellosis in the United States. With the discovery of the second affected herd, APHIS determined that Montana no longer meets the standards for Class Free status.
Class A status requires producers to test sexually intact cattle over 18 months of age for brucellosis within 30 days prior to interstate movement. Cattle exempt from this testing requirement must originate from a certified brucellosis-free herd, or be moving either directly to slaughter or from the farm of origin to an approved livestock market for testing.
Further Reading
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