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Texas Agriculture Archive

March 15, 2002

Texas may lose TB-free status

In an effort of unprecedented unity, 10 cattle industry organizations met with federal and state animal health officials to discuss Texas' bovine tuberculosis status and the economic impacts that an official change in status could have on Texas cattle producers. During a March 1 meeting, representatives from the government and private sector discussed concerns and shared ideas for complying with federal rules governing a potential downgrade of Texas' bovine tuberculosis status from "free" to "modified accredited advanced."

According to the USDA's Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), a downgrade is triggered when a state detects two cattle tuberculosis-infected herds within a 48 month period. In Texas, a beef herd was detected in South-Central Texas in July 2001 and an infected combination beef and dairy operation was found in October 2001. The infected herds have been depopulated.

In the event of a status downgrade, current USDA/APHIS rules governing the interstate shipment of cattle from Texas would be implemented. The March 1 meeting was called by the industry for purposes of discussing whether or not a status downgrade is necessary and, if so, how it could comply with any regulation with the least disruption. Industry representatives explained to animal health officials the complexities of Texas' cattle production, marketing and transportation infrastructure and the severe economic impact that could result from an inflexible application of the current regulations.

As a result of the meeting, industry and government officials agreed that the industry would organize a task force—known as the Texas Bovine Tuberculosis Working Group—to develop a plan for APHIS' consideration on implementation of the regulation should a status downgrade occur. The industry task force is composed of representatives of American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Academy of Veterinary Consultants, Dairy Farmers of America, Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas, Livestock Marketing Association of Texas, Texas Association of Dairymen, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and Texas Veterinary Medical Association. Government officials from the Texas Animal Health Commission and the Texas Department of Agriculture will serve in advisory capacities.

The working group will meet on a regular basis to develop recommendations on potential restrictions on interstate shipments. The group will also focus on bovine tuberculosis testing criteria for sexually intact cattle and identification programs used for tracking the movement of cattle in interstate commerce. Questions about the status change should be referred to: Carla Everett, Public Information Officer, Texas Animal Health Commission at (512) 719-0700.