Payments for Cattle and Other Property Because of Tuberculosis

We are amending the regulations regarding payments made in connection with animals and other property disposed of because of bovine tuberculosis to provide that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will make payments to owners of dairy cattle and other property used in connection with a dairy business, and a dairy processing plant in the area of El Paso, TX, provided the owners agree to dispose of their herds, close their existing dairy operations, and refrain from establishing new cattle breeding operations in the area. This action is necessary to further tuberculosis eradication efforts in the United States and protect livestock not affected with bovine tuberculosis from the disease.