Today, the commission is responsible for preventing, controlling, and eradicating various animal and fowl diseases. The program's most visible activities are those associated with cattle brucellosis eradication.
Federal law requires that every state have a brucellosis program.
Texas' program follows federal standards and represents a cooperative effort between the state and United States Department of Agriculture. All states are required by USDA to reach Free State status. USDA does not have a current deadline for Class A or Class B states to attain this status, although a deadline for Free State status may be proposed next year. Interstate cattle trade may also be restricted by quarantining all Texas cattle or ordering regional quarantines within the state. Existing Class A and Free states may also restrict interstate movement of Texas cattle by refusing to issue entry permits to Texas producers if the state fails to achieve Class A status.