Livestock department taking comment on rule changes

Press release

HELENA — The Montana Department of Livestock will be holding public meetings seeking comment on a number of proposed rule changes.

Go to http://liv.mt.gov/Home/ARM-Notices for a complete list of the proposed rule changes.

Public meetings have been scheduled in the following communities:

• July 17, 9 a.m. at Absarokee Elementary School

• July 17, 2 p.m. at Bridger Elementary

• July 18, 9 a.m. at The Eagles in Big Timber

• July 23, 10 a.m. at Jefferson High in Boulder

• July 24, 10 a.m. at Townsend School

Of particular note are the changes to rule 32.3.436. The change would require all female cattle over 12 months of age to be official vaccinates for brucellosis in any county that contains or borders a brucellosis designated surveillance area. Currently, female cattle in Gallatin, Madison, Park, and Beaverhead Counties are required to be vaccinates; the proposed rule would expand that requirement to Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Jefferson and Broadwater Counties.

The mission of the Montana Department of Livestock is to control and eradicate animal diseases, prevent the transmission of animal diseases to humans, and to protect the livestock industry from theft and predatory animals. For more information on the Montana Department of Livestock, visit http://www.liv.mt.gov/.