The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Natural Resources recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service regarding the presence and control of bovine tuberculosis in the northeastern part of the Lower Peninsula.

The most recent MOU sets new requirements and procedures for some counties in that area, and because implementation of the MOU requires a new zoning order, MDARD and the DNR will hold public meetings to explain the changes, answer questions and accept comments. MDARD will be accepting public comments until 3 p.m. March 31.

The new MOU can be viewed at michigan.gov. The following are some notable changes:

Presque Isle County will remain part of the accredited free zone (AFZ). However, producers in that county will be required to meet requirements similar to those in the modified accredited zone, such as secondary ID tags, annual herd testing, movement testing and movement certificates.

Buffer counties (Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Ogemaw, Otsego and Roscommon), which surround the MAZ, will have new surveillance requirements. There also will be requirements for increased surveillance of free-ranging deer in these counties.

Counties currently in the MAZ (Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Oscoda) will see a minor change in movement testing requirements.

MAZ boundaries will remain the same, and Michigan will retain its split-state TB status.

The Wildlife Risk Mitigation verification program will be discontinued in Cheboygan and Otsego counties to reallocate resources to the additional required surveillance testing. Producers in these counties are encouraged to continue the risk mitigation activities on their farms.

This proposed order applies to people who own cattle or bison herds. All affected producers will be receiving letters that provide more details. Requirements and timelines will vary and will be outlined in the producer letters and in the draft zoning order.

The public meetings will include presentations, a panel discussion with questions and answers, and an opportunity for the public to submit comments for the record.

The following public meetings have been scheduled:

Presque Isle County (afternoon). 1 to 2:30 p.m. March 2, Presque Isle County District Library, Large Community Room, 181 E. Erie St., Rogers City

Presque Isle County (evening, also a herd and hunter meeting). 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 2, Allis Township Hall, 20018 County Road 638, Onaway

AFZ border counties. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 3, Livingston Township Hall, 3218 Old 27 North, Gaylord

MAZ counties (also a herd and hunter meeting). 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 4, Ossineke Township Hall, 9041 W. Nicholson Hill Road, Hubbard Lake

AFZ border counties. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 5, Whittemore Community Hall, 508 S. Bullock St., Whittemore

The proposed zoning order was submitted to the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development for review during its Jan. 22 meeting. The order also will be discussed at the next scheduled meeting March 25, and public comment is welcome. The new zoning order is proposed to go into effect April 1, upon final approval by the MDARD director.

Public comments regarding the zoning order must be received by 3 p.m. March 31.

Send public comments to Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Animal Industry Division, Abigail Walkowe, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909.

Comments also can be emailed to [email protected] or faxed to 517-241-1560.

Source: MDARD, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.