When bovine TB was found in West Texas in 2001, the Legislature banned dairy farming permits in El Paso County and part of Hudspeth County. Now, a lawmaker wants to repeal the ban.
Representative Mary González, Democrat of Clint, filed legislation in February to repeal the ban on dairy permits in the area and to form a commission to research the presence of bovine TB in Mexico, where many agricultural officials suspect the bacterial disease originated.The Texas Tribune quoted González as saying, “We know that the bovine tuberculosis was not found once they eradicated the dairy farms, and now Mexico’s status, when it comes to tuberculosis, is improving. It’s important for us to at least investigate bringing back dairy farms.”
Texas regained its bovine tuberculosis-free status in 2006.
According to The Texas Tribune, González acknowledged that her legislation is “the first step of a long process,” and said she does not expect dairies to return immediately. PD
—From Texas Tribune article (Click here to read the full article.)
