November 12, 2004 - After years of aggressive testing and monitoring have shown no bovine TB in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan Department of Agriculture Director Dan Wyant announced today that the state has applied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for “Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) Accredited Free” status for the region.  The application was made at the U.S. Animal Health Association meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina, where state and federal officials and industry representatives gathered to discuss bovine TB and other topics of agricultural and public health interest.

Wyant explained that USDA has five designated status levels that apply to an entire state or a zone within a state. Each state or zone has specific requirements for movement, surveillance testing, record keeping and animal identification, depending on their federal bovine TB status designation. Accredited Free is the highest status level, and means there is zero percent prevalence of bovine TB in a state or zone. The requirements are most restrictive in Non Accredited states and zones, and become less restrictive as states and zones move toward Accredited Free status. Bovine TB Accredited Free status in the U.P. will mean a reduction in testing requirements for movement and sale of cattle within the U.P. and to other zones and states.

“This is the next step in our effort to attain bovine TB-free status for all of Michigan and can be attributed to government and industry partnerships and the cooperation of our U.P. producers,” Wyant said.  “Such a designation will increase marketing opportunities for livestock farmers in the region, reduce the movement and testing restrictions for U.P. cattle, and enable state and federal resources to focus on containing and eliminating the disease in the northern lower Michigan zone.”

Michigan’s current Split State Status, which was established in April 2004, designates several counties in northern lower Michigan (Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties, and those parts of Iosco and Ogemaw that are north of the southern-most boundaries of the Huron National Forest and the Au Sable State Forest) as Modified Accredited per USDA regulations.  The remainder of the state, including the entire U.P., is currently designated as Modified Accredited Advanced.

“The Upper Peninsula has worked hard to meet testing requirements and prove there is no bovine TB in the region,” said Ann Jousma-Miller of Gladstone, Michigan’s Agriculture Commissioner representing the U.P.  “The state’s regulatory efforts at the Mackinac Bridge, and the U.P.’s geological separation from the Lower Peninsula, make this the logical next step to help expand market opportunities for U.P. cattle.”

The application submitted to USDA outlines Michigan’s efforts to date to eradicate bovine TB, and presents reasons why the change in status for the U.P. is justified.  USDA will review the application, and if it is acceptable, will publish a proposed rule change in the Federal Register.  Public comment will by accepted by USDA regarding the proposed rule change, and, upon reviewing the comments, USDA will either pass the proposed rule change as posted, modify the rule change, or withdraw the proposed rule change entirely.  The entire process usually takes nine to 12 months.

Michigan lost its previous Bovine TB Accredited Free Status in 2000 after surveillance testing revealed bovine TB in wild white-tailed deer and a small number of livestock in Northeast Michigan.  No bovine TB has been found in livestock or wildlife in the U.P. in more than 30 years. Since January 1 of 2000, over 54,226 cattle have tested negative for bovine TB in the U.P.  Statewide, nearly 1 million head of livestock have been tested since that time, with 33 positive herds identified, all located in northern lower Michigan.

MDA and its Bovine TB Eradication Project partners will host the following public meetings (*NOTE: All times are listed as Eastern Standard Time) across the U.P. to discuss the proposed designation and its impacts and benefits.

Monday, Dec. 13

• 2 to 4 p.m. AND 7 to 9 p.m. – Bruce Township – Bruce Township Hall, 12 Mile Rd.

Tuesday, Dec. 14

• 3 to 5 p.m. – Stephenson – Menominee County MSU Extension Office, S904 U.S. Hwy 41
• 7 to 9 p.m. – Escanaba – Delta County MSU Extension Office, 2840 College Ave.

Wednesday, Dec. 15

• 2 to 4 p.m. – Mass City – Mass/Greenland Alternative School, 1502 Mass Ave.
• 7 to 9 p.m. – Bruce Crossing – Tulppo’s Restaurant & Motel, 14967 State Hwy M 28

For additional information about bovine TB in Michigan or for a copy of the Bovine TB Free status application for the U.P., visit www.michigan.gov/bovinetb.