FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MAY 17, 2016
CONTACT: LARAMIE ADAMS
CELL: 512-922-7328 

Fort Worth, Texas – Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) submitted comments Monday expressing concerns with the United States Department of Agriculture – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service’s (USDA-APHIS) rule proposal regarding the agency’s updated provisions on Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis.

“The health and well-being of cattle across the country are critical to the entire beef industry,” said TSCRA president Richard Thorpe. “It is for this reason that TSCRA opposes efforts by USDA-APHIS to finalize this rule for adoption until concerns regarding the effectiveness and practical application of this rule have been adequately addressed.

“For instance, TSCRA opposes the transition from an effective eradication program, which has worked for over a century, to a new control program for the diseases. We do not believe this shift to a control program meets the important goal of eradicating these diseases in the U.S.

“Additionally, TSCRA is concerned the current structure of the rule proposal would shift the administrative burden to the states without providing adequate resources needed to eradicate Brucellosis and Tuberculosis. It is important for USDA-APHIS to commit to utilizing the current cooperative funding agreement concept as well as continuing to provide direct field support.

“These are only a couple of the concerns TSCRA is asking USDA-APHIS to address before the final rule is adopted. TSCRA will continue to monitor and be actively engaged in this rule proposal to make certain ranchers receive the resources necessary to protect their cattle from Brucellosis and Tuberculosis,” Thorpe concluded.

To view TSCRA’s comments opposing USDA-APHIS rule proposal, click HERE.

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TSCRA is a 139-year-old trade association and is the largest and oldest livestock organization based in Texas. TSCRA has more than 17,000 beef cattle operations, ranching families and businesses as members. These members represent approximately 50,000 individuals directly involved in ranching and beef production who manage 4 million head of cattle on 76 million acres of range and pasture land primarily in Texas and Oklahoma, but throughout the Southwest.