HELENA – Some of the states that restricted importation of cattle from Montana are dropping those restrictions.
They were imposed when Montana’s second case of the livestock disease brucellosis was diagnosed in May 2008.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommended lifting import restrictions. Montana state veterinarian Marty Zaluski says cattle producers and associated industries worked hard on a plan to reduce the risk of brucellosis and restore confidence in Montana cattle.
USDA’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service upgraded Montana to brucellosis-free status this month.
States lifting restrictions include Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming, California, Idaho, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin. Restrictions continue in North Dakota and South Dakota.