WASHINGTON – Today Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced that the Upper Peninsula of Michigan has been declared Bovine Tuberculosis-Free by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The announcement comes in time for U.P. beef and dairy farmers to participate in the October 1st market sale.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture applied for the status nearly a year ago but encountered delays. Stupak sent letters pressing the USDA to speed up the process in order to meet market deadlines.
"I’m pleased to see that the USDA has granted Michigan split state status and the Upper Peninsula Bovine Tuberculosis-Free based on the tests results provided by the state," Stupak said. "It’s about time the USDA granted this status to U.P. farmers. I appreciate the Michigan Department of Agriculture Director, Mitch Irwin for his help and assistance in achieving the results we received today."
"This change in policy marks in a milestone in our efforts to eradicate Bovine TB in Michigan," said MDA Director Mitch Irwin. "I am pleased that we have been able to work together with the agriculture community to resolve this issue for the Upper Peninsula and I commend USDA and Congressman Stupak for their efforts."
In over thirty years, no cases of Bovine TB have been identified in livestock or wildlife in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Since January 1 of 2000, over 54,226 cattle have tested negative for bovine TB in the U.P. On the statewide level, over 1 million head of livestock have been tested since that time, with 33 positive herds identified, all located in the Modified Accredited Zone of the Lower Peninsula. In the past 15 months, intensive surveillance has revealed no cases of Bovine TB in livestock in the state.
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![[News From Congressman Bart Stupak]](stupakpr.gif)
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