WHEREAS, Idaho’s cattle and dairy industries represent a major part of Idaho’s economy, contributing over $2.5 billion, making livestock the State’s largest commodity group; and

          WHEREAS, Idaho lost its Brucellosis Class Free status on January 12, 2006, as a result of cattle testing positive for the disease after interaction with infected wild elk; and

WHEREAS, the loss of Idaho’s Brucellosis Class Free status imposes additional requirements for testing, adult vaccination, and management to minimize interaction between wild elk and cattle, which results in increased cost and complexity for cattle producers; and

WHEREAS, the presence of brucellosis in the State requires active management of migrating and wintering wild elk so as to ensure adequate winter habitat and resources to support wild elk and to avoid reliance of wild elk on artificial feed sources, including private feed stocks; and

WHEREAS, action by and cooperation between Idaho’s cattle industry, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is necessary in order for Idaho to once again obtain Brucellosis Class Free status;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. RISCH, Governor of the State of Idaho, by the authority vested in me under the Constitution and laws of the State of Idaho, do hereby order:

1. The establishment of a “Governor’s Task Force for Wildlife Brucellosis” as a coordinated effort of ISDA, IDFG, Idaho Cattle Association (ICA), and Idaho Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF).

2. The Governor shall appoint ten members to the task force who will serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The ten members shall be appointed as follows:

1. Two representatives from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
2. Three representatives from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.
3. Five representatives from the cattle industry.

3. The Task Force shall present a report to the Governor by September 4, 2006, that will include background on past efforts related to brucellosis eradication and management in wildlife and livestock, in addition to recommendations for addressing current needs in order to eradicate brucellosis and regain Idaho’s Brucellosis Class Free status.

4. ISDA and IDFG will develop a Brucellosis Action Plan based on the recommendations of the Task Force that will be submitted to the Office of the Governor by December 4, 2006.  This plan will include actions related to brucellosis surveillance, enforcement, and outreach activities.  The Plan will include actions related to reporting and preventing wild elk/cattle feed-line contact, elk management, and brucellosis testing in elk.

5. The Governor will review and submit the Brucellosis Action Plan to the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) as soon as it is appropriate.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this 19th day of June in the year of our Lord two thousand and six, and of the independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirtieth and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred sixteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE