MN House Approves Bovine TB Buyout

The Minnesota House unanimously approved a bill to establish a 10-mile Bovine tuberculosis management zone in northwestern Minnesota. Taxpayers will pay farmers and ranchers $500 for each animal destroyed because of TB contact. The bill also included more money to eradicate the deer population in the affected zone. Royalton Lawmaker Al Doty said the bill is another step towards wiping out the disease without testing every beef and dairy herd in the state. The bill was sponsored by Thief River Falls lawmaker David Olin. The USDA recently downgrade Minnesota cattle from parts of the northwestern part of the state. Cattle shipped from the affected area are now subjected to more stringent testing. The Minnesota Health Department said humans are not at risk as long as affected beef is cooked and milk pasteurized.