Brucellosis; Increased Indemnity for Cattle and Bison

We are adopting as a final rule, with two changes, an interim rule that amended the regulations governing Federal indemnity paid under the brucellosis eradication program to increase the amount of indemnity that may be paid for certain cattle and bison destroyed because of brucellosis. The interim rule described two indemnity methods--an appraisal method and a fixed-rate method--from which owners of certain animals approved for destruction may choose. As amended by this document, the rule now allows owners to receive Federal indemnity for unweaned, neutered calves in herds approved for depopulation, and the fixed-rate indemnity method now accounts for the higher value of registered beef cattle and dairy cattle compared to nonregistered beef cattle and bison. This action will provide sufficient financial incentive for cattle and bison owners to depopulate brucellosis- affected herds. The continued existence of these herds increases the risk of disease spread and prolongs the eradication process.