It's not the complete answer. Most cattle in the area are vaccinated anyway, Gertonson said. On Thursday, the NWF's point man on the issue said his group would persist. A more common tactic in the long and bitter debate over Yellowstone bison has been for bison advocates to call for boycotts of the state's beef, but Torbit said local ranchers should not be harmed over the controversy. Citing a National Academy of Science report, Torbit said it is probably impossible to eradicate brucellosis from all wildlife in the Yellowstone area.
Some elk carry it, too.
He said Canada has learned to live with the disease in Wood Buffalo National Park and still certify its cattle as brucellosis-free. They're not tearing themselves apart over this. The federation says it is extending both its checkbook and an olive branch to the beef industry with the vaccination offer, and Torbit said he was disappointed with the beef industry's lack of enthusiasm. Department of Livestock officials frequently say they regret having to kill bison, but Torbit disputed that. We will watchdog those state vets at the local level.