USDA Lessens Export Cattle Tests

WASHINGTON - Jan 11/07 - SNS -- The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service wants to eliminate the U.S. requirement for pre-export tuberculosis and brucellosis testing of livestock.

The proposed changes would no longer require pre-export testing for cattle from any tuberculosis accredited-free or brucellosis class-free state and for exports to countries that do not require testing.

APHIS is proposing this action to relieve restrictions on certain exports of U.S. cattle to Canada for which testing is no longer necessary. Canadian animal health authorities have recognized our success in eradicating brucellosis, tuberculosis and other diseases by establishing the Restricted Feeder Cattle Program, which allows certain untested feeder cattle to be imported into Canada. To participate in this program, the feeder cattle must originate from a state that has been designated by APHIS as brucellosis and tuberculosis free.

In addition, should other countries importing U.S. cattle suspend or remove their testing requirements, this proposal would ensure that U.S. cattle exporters receive the full benefits of no longer being required to perform pre-export tests.

Currently all states are designated accredited-free for tuberculosis except Minnesota, Texas and portions of Michigan and New Mexico, and all states except Idaho and Texas are designated as class free for brucellosis.