STATE, FEDERAL OFFICIALS CONFER
OVER PREVENTION OF LIVESTOCK DISEASE

BISMARCK - State and federal agricultural officials gathered together
Thursday, in Washington to discuss prevention strategies and possible
responses to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the U.S.

North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson and State Veterinarian
Dr. Larry Schuler both participated in the meeting, called by U.S..
Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman.

"We are all committed to preventing the introduction of this disease into
this country," Johnson said. "However, it is clear that we must also have
policies and plans of action in place on both the local and national levels
to deal with FMD if it does show up here."

The day-long meeting at USDA included Veneman, top USDA administrators and
officials from other federal agencies, including the Federal Emergency
Management Administration (FEMA), as well as agriculture and animal health
officials from the states.

Schuler said he believes North Dakota is ahead of many other states in
preparedness, but that the many "unknowns" surrounding FMD means that
officials here must be ready to expect the unexpected.

"It has been more than 70 years since foot-and-mouth disease was last seen
in this country," he said. "It is the most virulent and contagious animal
disease presently known, and none of us have dealt with it before. We must
be open to all
possibilities."

Johnson and Schuler said education and vigilance are the best means for
preventing the introduction of FMD into the U.S.

"Helping foreign travelers and livestock producers understand what they can
do to prevent the spread of FMD is our hope at this time," Schuler said.

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has information for travelers and
producers on its website - www.agdepartment.com - or by calling (800)
242-7535.

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MEDIA: For more information, please call Dr. Larry Schuler or Dr. Susan
Keller at (701) 328-2654.