Payments for Cattle and Other Property Because of Tuberculosis

We are adopting as a final rule, with one change, an interim rule that amended the regulations regarding payments made in connection with animals and other property disposed of because of bovine tuberculosis. The interim rule provided 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 agreed to dispose of their herds within 2 years, close their existing dairy operations, and refrain from establishing new cattle breeding operations in the area. As amended by this document, we will allow owners 3 years to dispose of their herds. The interim rule was necessary to further tuberculosis eradication efforts in the United States and protect livestock not affected with bovine tuberculosis from the disease.