Notice of Availability of a Bovine Brucellosis Program Concept Paper

NCBA thanks APHIS for the approach taken in soliciting input from stakeholders prior to initiating rulemaking associated with the new direction. Undertaking a much needed new approach to a longstanding regulatory program and a complicated politically charged, and heretofore seemingly unsolvable situation is challenging. NCBA is hopeful that this is an opportunity for all federal and state agencies with jurisdictions within the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) to better work together with each other as well as with producers. We also hope this is an opportunity for the respective agencies to collectively and concurrently fulfill their responsibilities for protecting livestock and wildlife health in the United States (U.S.). This will be beneficial for all parties as we move towards the future of reaching a common goal of eliminating this disease from the U. S. Producer-directed and consumer-focused, NCBA is the nation's oldest and largest national trade association for cattlemen and represents over 230,000 cattle producers through direct membership and our state and breed affiliates. NCBA's top priority is to produce the safest, highest quality, affordable beef in the world. This has been consistent throughout our industry's history and in our long-term efforts to continually improve our knowledge and ability to raise healthy cattle. The national USDA effort to control and then to eradicate brucellosis from livestock in the United States was initiated in 1934. The success of this effort is the result of years of dedication, hard work and cooperation from all involved. While this program has been successful in eliminating brucellosis from the majority of the U.S., there remains a dangerous reservoir of disease in the wildlife populations (specifically bison and elk) in the GYA. Please review the attached document for our complete comments.