Feds Finish Wyoming
Bangs Test Review

RIVERTON, Wyo. —(AP)— A team from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ended a week-long review of Wyoming's brucellosis monitoring program with promising words for state officials.

"It went well," interim State Veterinarian Jim Logan said. "We were encouraged by what we heard from them."

The government recommended in May 1997 that cattle sold in Fremont, Park, Lincoln, Sublette, Teton and Hot Springs counties be tested for brucellosis. Of 20,000 head tested since mid-January, none was found to carry the disease, which causes cows to abort their calves.

While brucellosis has not turned up in Wyoming cattle in more than a decade, other states have threatened sanctions because of concerns that elk and buffalo could transmit the disease to domestic stock.

Logan and others hope the clean test results so far will convince federal officials to recommend less extensive testing. Many ranchers say the current requirement is costly and unnecessary.

Logan expects the team to complete its report before year's end. If they support reduced testing, the criteria for cattle to be tested could be revised.