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Members Approve 2 Animal Health Resolutions

Billings, Mont. (May 14, 2008) – R-CALF USA members – through mail-in ballots – have approved two resolutions regarding animal health, which become official policy effective immediately.

The first measure, approved by 98 percent of voters, states: “BE IT RESOLVED, due to the increased prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle of Mexican origin, R-CALF USA requests USDA-APHIS to require all cattle from Mexico be tested for bovine tuberculosis, and that all cattle entering the United States from Mexico shall go to designated feedlots and remain in such feedlots until time of slaughter.”

The second resolution, approved by 97 percent of voters, states: “BE IT RESOLVED, that R-CALF USA shall form policy to address the concerns of producers regarding wildlife as a disease source.”

R-CALF USA President/Region VI Director Max Thornsberry, a Missouri veterinarian, said he is pleased these two resolutions have been overwhelmingly adopted by the membership.

“Obviously, our membership recognizes how important it is for APHIS to get a handle on the bovine tuberculosis problem in Mexican cattle that are sent north,” Thornsberry said. “USDA’s own data show that 75 percent of the bovine tuberculosis cases detected at slaughter in the U.S. originated from Mexico, and to U.S. cattle producers, that’s unacceptable.

“Our membership also realizes there is a problem in some areas where wildlife are infecting cattle with brucellosis or other diseases, and this problem is a situation that must be addressed – effectively – sooner rather than later,” he said.

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 R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on trade and marketing issues. Members are located across 47 states and are primarily cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and/or feedlot owners. R-CALF USA has dozens of affiliate organizations and various main-street businesses are associate members. For more information, visit www.r-calfusa.com  or, call 406-252-2516. 

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                            This page was last updated on Friday, June 06, 2008.