February 27, 2007

LANSING - Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Mitch Irwin recently signed into effect changes regarding the movement of cattle in Michigan. All known Michigan cattle producers received personal notification from MDA on requirements for movement testing, electronic identification and movement certification, which go into effect March 1, 2007.

"These program changes are necessary to bring Michigan into compliance with federal rules and are a tremendous step forward in MDA’s goal to be a bovine tuberculosis free state," said Irwin. "While some Michigan cattle producers will now need to test for movement from Lower Michigan, long term we will see a reduction in testing requirements, and associated costs, once the state is granted TB-free status. MDA appreciates the continued cooperation and dedication of Michigan cattle producers to help us achieve our goal."

The rule changes include:

• Mandatory electronic identification for all cattle in Michigan leaving farm premises.
• MDA movement certification when cattle move from one Michigan zone to the next.
• All sexually intact cattle, not intended for slaughter, six months of age or older, in the Modified Accredited Advanced area (lower portion of Lower Michigan) must have a bovine Tuberculosis (TB) test with negative results within 60 days before movement to move out of the Modified Accredited Advanced Zones (MAAZ).
• No TB testing or movement certification is required to move within the MAAZ.

"Compliance is critical to MDA’s efforts, so we have partnered with the Michigan State Police to ensure livestock haulers are carrying the proper paperwork - at the Mackinac Bridge and along the border between the Modified Accredited and Modified Accredited Advanced Zones," said State Veterinarian Steven Halstead. "The efforts of producers and veterinarians demonstrate solid testing regulations and movement controls prevent the disease from moving via cattle, and checking livestock trailers is another means for us to enforce compliance with the rules."

The Bovine TB Eradication Project partners and the Michigan cattle industry have been working on the eradication of bovine TB since it was first identified in free-ranging white-tailed deer in northern Lower Michigan in 1995. MDA has been successful in regaining TB Free Status in the Upper Peninsula and with these additional regulations, expects to move the MAAZ to TB-free within the next year.

There is no TB testing required for movement of cattle from farms in the Upper Peninsula to any destination within Michigan. There is no movement certification required for movement within the Upper Peninsula. Cattle producers and haulers should contact MDA during normal business hours on the toll-free TB line at (866) 870-5136 to obtain movement certification and receive detailed information.

A document outlining the bovine TB zonal changes and requirements can be viewed at www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases or can be obtained by calling MDA’s Animal Industry Division at (517) 373-1077.