Minn. leaders, ranchers praise end of bovine TB
by Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public RadioSt. Paul, Minn. — Gov. Mark Dayton, state lawmakers, cattle producers and others are praising efforts to end bovine tuberculosis in Minnesota.
Combined, the state and federal governments and Minnesota cattle producers spent more than $14 million to eradicate the disease in Minnesota. It was first found in the state in 2005, triggering restrictions on cattle sales to other states and countries.
Don Schiefelbien, the president of the Minnesota Cattlemen's Association, said the bipartisan effort to eradicate the disease was extremely helpful.
"Effective government works," he said. "When you look at this whole problem that was dealt to us and dealt to us suddenly, without the effective leadership of all the people behind me, none of it could have come down."
The Board of Animal Health and the Department of Natural Resources will continue efforts to ensure that the disease doesn't return.
