Tentative deal would replace brucellosis rules

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Jun 24, 2009 at 5:53 PM MST

Story Updated: Jun 24, 2009 at 5:53 PM MST

BILLINGS - Federal officials and livestock agencies in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana have reached a broad agreement to fundamentally alter the government's approach to brucellosis, a costly animal disease that causes pregnant cattle and other animals to miscarry.

The Yellowstone region is the last domestic reservoir of the disease, which persists in wild bison and elk. After meeting with representatives of the three Yellowstone states last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a tentative plan Wednesday to scrap its existing brucellosis rules.

They would be replaced with rules that are less stringent for most of the country, but stricter in parts of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming surrounding Yellowstone National Park. The proposal must overcome skepticism from Yellowstone-area ranchers and from veterinarians in other parts of the country.

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