March 14, 2016
Docket # APHIS
-2014-0095
Regulatory Analysis
& Development
PPD, APHIS, Station
3A-03.8
4700 River Road,
Unit 118
Riverdale, MD
20737-1238
Dr. Isaac:
The Montana
Sportsmen Alliance, the voice of reason for the Montana hunters,
anglers and conservationists appreciates the ability to comment on
this very important issue. MSA strongly supports the removal of
brucella abortus from the APHIS overlap select agent list.
MSA recognizes the
hardship to Montana’s cattle producers when brucellosis is
positively diagnosed. Private landowners, are our partners in
stewardship of our publicly owned wildlife resources. MSA is equally
concerned of transmission of brucellosis from domestic livestock to
our wildlife, such as bison and elk. The fear of brucellosis
transmission has greatly affected the natural distribution of our
wildlife across the landscape and has caused conflicts between the
livestock industry and wildlife advocates.
Reducing the above
conflicts could be greatly affected by more research; therefore,
being able to produce a more effective livestock vaccine is the
ultimate outcome. With brucella abortus listed on the select agent
list MSA strongly feels the overall production of a better vaccine is
greatly hampered. In closing MSA feels removal of brucella abortus
could be safely accomplished and would allow better, more thorough
research. The end product could be an improved cattle vaccine, which
would benefit Montana’s livestock industry as well as our publicly
owned wildlife. MSA again, appreciates the ability to comment on
issues of importance.
Respectfully
submitted,
MSA
Leadership Group:
John
Borgreen, Great Falls
Sam
Milodragovich, Butte
Joe
Perry, Conrad
J.W.
Westman, Park City
Robert
Wood, Hamilton
Jeff
Herbert, Helena
Steve
Schindler, Glasgow
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