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New Mexico delegation pushes for bovine TB decisionALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)--New Mexico's congressional delegation has sent a letter asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expedite approval of the state's application for split-state status for bovine tuberculosis. The USDA decided in early September to end New Mexico's status as a bovine tuberculosis-free state because two infected herds had been found in New Mexico's accredited free-zone and the state no longer met federal requirements. The delegation said the USDA decision was excessive and could cost ranching and dairy operations unnecessary tests. Split-state status, they say, would cover the small areas where the infected herds were found while the rest of the state would be a TB-free zone. U.S. Sens. Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman, along with Reps. Heather Wilson, Tom Udall and Steve Pearce sent their letter to Agriculture Secretary Edward Schafer Sept. 15. "The livestock industry is New Mexico's single most important agricultural commodity with total annual sales of milk and beef cattle of almost $2 billion," the letter states. "The downgrade of New Mexico's status is estimated to cost our producers more than $4 million per year and could actually impede efforts to eliminate bovine TB as resources are shifted over to operations that pose little or no risk." The delegation is pushing for split-state status to be approved within 60 days. 9/29/08 Date: 9/24/08
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