FTE records clerk for the federal office and lab. The department is cooperating with the USDA, Veterinary Services, on disease control responsibilities. This has reduced travel expense for both agencies and provided faster service to the livestock producers. The department is continually looking at our rules and regulations for obsolete and burdensome, needless language. During the 1997 legislative session a bill was passed and signed by the governor that prohibits the sale of diseased or disabled livestock at our livestock markets.
Regulations are in place to implement that law.
Bovine brucellosis eradication remains the number one priority of the department. Four years ago, thirty-seven herds were known to be infected with the disease. At this time, no known infection exists. Depopulation is the most effective method of eradicating the disease. The federal government has contributed many resources to this effort in the past and will do so until December 31, 1998.