Interstate agreement on livestock disease stalls

By MATTHEW BROWN • Associated Press Writer • July 25, 2008 BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — As livestock officials scramble to deal with recent outbreaks of brucellosis near Yellowstone National Park, a proposed interstate pact to manage and eventually eliminate the disease remains stalled. Since late 2006, intermittent negotiations between federal officials and the governors of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming have failed to reach consensus on the best way to prevent future outbreaks, according to those involved in the talks. In particular, the parties have disagreed over how to address brucellosis in the region’s wildlife. Also, at least two states — Montana and Idaho — want more flexibility to reduce the risks and consequences of transmissions, given the difficulty of trying to eliminate brucellosis altogether. Since the agreement was... [read full story]