USDA Approves Minnesota's TB-Free Status
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Minnesota’s application for statewide bovine Tuberculosis (TB) Free status, effective October 4, 2011. The approval comes six years after the discovery of an infected beef herd in July 2005.
October 5, 2011
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Minnesota’s application for statewide bovine Tuberculosis (TB) Free status, effective October 4, 2011. The approval comes six years after the discovery of an infected beef herd in July 2005.
In recent years, status downgrades have been the cause of increased testing and movement requirements for Minnesota cattle, both in-state and out. With U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval, the status upgrade will bring relief to most Minnesota cattle producers.
“The farmers in Minnesota have worked tirelessly alongside the Board of Animal Health and the USDA to eliminate this disease quickly,” said Minnesota State Veterinarian and Board of Animal Health Executive Director Dr. Bill Hartmann. “We have raised the bar in disease eradication by working together, working quickly, and working effectively. Minnesota is a model of how it should be done.”
Though Board of Animal Health requirements will be reduced for most, livestock farmer should call the state of destination prior to interstate movement of animals. Other states may require additional testing, permits, or official identification of livestock.