Governor Pawlenty signs bovine tuberculosis legislation into law
Farm and Ranch Guide
Governor Tim Pawlenty today signed legislation strengthening the state’s efforts to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (TB) from beef cattle and deer in northwestern Minnesota.
The bill provides the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BAH) with expanded regulatory authorities and funding to implement a bovine TB eradication plan in northwestern Minnesota.
As part of the plan, BAH will increase livestock testing, tighten restrictions on animal movement, provide cost-share assistance for fencing in certain areas, and offer a “buy out” option to livestock owners in the disease management zone. In addition, the legislation directs that a per-head assessment be collected on all cattle sales in the state between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009. The funds are to be collected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), for the purpose of helping fund bovine TB control activities.
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