Texas Regains TB Free Status

AUSTIN - Oct 3/06 - SNS -- The USDA announced today in the Federal Register that Texas has regained cattle tuberculosis-free (TB) status.

This valuable status was lost in 2002 after two TB infected cattle herds were detected in Texas. Since September 2003, more than 335,000 cows in Texas' 818 dairies, and nearly 129,000 beef cattle in 2,014 of the state's seed stock or purebred herds have been tested for cattle TB, in a bid to ensure that all TB infection had been detected and eliminated, and that effective disease surveillance has been implemented.

"For cattle owners involved in regional and statewide stock shows and fairs, the benefit of TB-free status is immediate," explained Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas' state veterinarian. "Achieving free status enables Texas-origin cattle to be transported to events in the state without a TB test. Always check with show or fair officials, however, as they may establish more stringent requirements."

USDA regulations also allow the 150,000 or so breeding and dairy cattle moved from Texas to other states each year to be shipped without a TB test.

Dr. Hillman, who heads the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state's livestock and regulatory health agency, cautioned ranchers and accredited veterinary practitioners to check with states of destination prior to shipping cattle, as it will take time for animal health officials to update regulations recognizing Texas' TB-free status.

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