APHIS Schedules Bovine TB and Brucellosis Meetings

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) will hold meetings in four states “to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to offer their input on a new framework being developed for the bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis programs in the United States.” The May 19, 2011, meeting will be held in Lansing, Michigan; the May 24 meeting will be held in Atlanta, Georgia; the June 1 meeting will be held in Bozeman, Montana; and the June 6 meeting will be held in Amarillo, Texas.

The agenda includes discussion of topics included in a draft regulatory framework developed by federal, state and tribal governments, involving such matters as herd management and epidemiological investigations, animal importation, indemnity, and approval of diagnostic tests and laboratories. Written comments on meeting topics are requested by June 20. See Federal Register, May 6, 2011.