USDA proposes to drop certain export tests for live cattle

USDA proposes to drop certain export tests for live cattle The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has proposed to eliminate the requirement for pre-export tuberculosis and brucellosis testing of certain cattle being shipped to countries that no longer require the test.
   Canada, one of the largest importers of live cattle from the United States, no longer requires these tests.
   According to the USDA, the average cost of the tuberculosis test is $10 to $12 per head, and the brucellosis test is about $3 per cow.
   In 2005, the United States exported 21,155 live cattle, valued at more than $7.2 million. The USDA said live cattle shipments declined significantly after a Washington state cow tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or 'mad cow' disease, in late December 2003, but the department said these exports 'are now on the rebound.'
   Comments for the USDA’s proposed rulemaking will accepted until March 12. For more information, access online: https://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-111.htm.