Press Releases

Release Date: November 01, 2001 Download in Word		Contact:Christopher Galen Phone:(703) 243-6111 email:CGalen@nmpf.org
NMPF APPLAUDS FEINGOLD-KOHL EFFORT TO ESTABLISH JOHNE'S DISEASE PROGRAM
New Animal Health Program May Be Added To 2002 Farm Bill
ARLINGTON, VA -- The National Milk Producers Federation endorsed efforts by Wisconsin's two senators to create a voluntary program for dairy and beef producers to help them eradicate Johne's disease in cattle.       Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl announced Wednesday they are introducing legislation that would establish a program for cattle owners to voluntarily test their animals for Johne's disease, which is an incurable bacterial disease of the intestinal tract. The program would help educate producers about the disease, assist them in developing herd management plans to deal with the malady, and fund the testing needed to identify which animals are infected with Johne's disease. Johne's disease is estimated to infect one or more animals in 20 percent of U.S. dairy herds.       The Wisconsin Democrats' legislation is based on the recommendations of the National Johne's Working Group, of which NMPF is a member.       “Johne's disease is a persistent problem for the cattle industry, and although many states have various education and testing programs, the federal government has yet to create a program providing some minimal national guidelines for dairy producers,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF. “This legislation would provide the framework to get the U.S. Department of Agriculture involved in working with state veterinary officials, and ultimately farmers, in dealing with Johne's disease.”       The Feingold-Kohl language is similar to legislation inserted by fellow Wisconsin Democrat Representative Ron Kind into the House version of the 2002 Farm Bill. Kind was successful in including the Johne's testing program language in the Farm Bill that was passed by the House last month.       Kozak said he hopes that the Senate language can be passed quickly, either on its own, or in the Senate version of the 2002 Farm Bill. The Senate Agriculture committee has just started work on its version of farm program legislation.             The National Milk Producers Federation, headquartered in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance the well-being of U.S. dairy producers and the cooperatives they collectively own. The members of NMPF's 30 cooperatives produce the majority of the U.S. milk supply, making NMPF the voice of 60,000 dairy producers on Capitol Hill and with government agencies.       For more on NMPF's activities, visit our Website at www.nmpf.org.