BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK

OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 32.3.433 designated surveillance area

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NOTICE OF AMENDMENT

 

TO: All Concerned Persons

 

1. On May 15, 2020, the Department of Livestock published MAR Notice No. 32-20-310 pertaining to the proposed amendment of the above-stated rule at page 843 of the 2020 Montana Administrative Register, Issue Number 9.

 

2. The department has amended the above-stated rule as proposed.

 

3. The department has thoroughly considered the comments and testimony received. A summary of the comments received and the department's responses are as follows:

 

COMMENT #1: For producers that are leaving the newly proposed DSA boundary in the spring to go to summer pastures I believe it would be acceptable to grant them a variance to test in the fall instead of the spring prior to leaving.  Not only for the convenience of the producer but more importantly it seems that it would be unlikely for cattle, that were exposed in the spring, to seroconvert prior to testing in the spring, making it a less effective time to test when compared to fall testing.

 

RESPONSE #1: Thank you for your comment.  MDOL encourages the development of herd management agreements with DSA producers to assist in determining disease risk.  Test variances may be granted based upon a combination of risk factors and/or mitigation efforts.  The variance suggested by this comment is consistent with past variances given but will need to be done at the individual producer level.

 

 

BY:      /s/ Michael S. Honeycutt                             BY:      /s/ Cinda Young-Eichenfels

            Michael S. Honeycutt                                             Cinda Young-Eichenfels

            Executive Officer                                                    Rule Reviewer

            Board of Livestock

            Department of Livestock

 

           

Certified to the Secretary of State June 30, 2020.