Michigan's Bovine Tuberculosis Status Changes
US - The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is adjusting the boundaries of the bovine tuberculosis risk classification zones for the state of Michigan.The counties of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet and Otsego now meet the requirements for modified accredited advanced status. The counties have previously been classified as modified accredited.
APHIS classifies states or zones within states according to their prevalence levels of bovine tuberculosis. There are five classifications: accredited free, modified accredited advanced, modified accredited, accredited preparatory and nonaccredited. Restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle and bison become less stringent as a state approaches or achieves accredited free status.
Bovine tuberculosis 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 pasteurised milk.
Notice of this interim rule was published in 18 December Federal Register and became effective upon publication.
Consideration will be given to comments received on or before 16 February 2010. Send two copies of postal or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. APHIS-2009-0046, Regulatory Analysis and development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2009-0046. If you wish to submit a comment using the Internet, go to the Federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main+DocketDetail&D=APHIS-2009-0046.
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