MN Cattle Import Requirements Relaxed

| 6/20/2012

A change in regulations means it will be easier for North Dakota to import most Minnesota-origin cattle. According to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, the importation requirements for Minnesota cattle has been relaxed for nearly the entire state. The only exception is a small area, formerly known as the "Bovine TB Management Zone."

"Minnesota`s livestock producers, the Minnesota state veterinarian, and the Minnesota Animal Industry Board and Department of Natural Resources have worked hard to eradicate bovine tuberculosis and to restore Minnesota`s TB-free status," said Dr. Susan Keller, North Dakota state veterinarian. "North Dakota is confident that Minnesota cattle can be imported without additional testing."

Keller added that the state will still require a negative, whole herd TB test and a 60-day, negative TB test for individual animals from herds within the former bovine TB management zone.

Minnesota`s TB outbreak started in 2005. The North Dakota Board of Animal Health responded at that time by ordering additional testing of cattle imports from Minnesota.

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