Released on: June 11, 2008, 11:34 pm

Press Release Author: Buffalo Allies of Bozeman

Industry: Environment

Press Release Summary: Brucellosis outbreak where there are no bison shows that IBMP
is not working for buffalo or for cows.

Press Release Body: (Bozeman, Mont.) - The grassroots citizens group Buffalo Allies
of Bozeman responded to the Monday announcement of brucellosis in a cattle herd in
the Paradise Valley with a challenge to Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer to
withdraw from the Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP).

According to a recent U.S. Government Accountability Office report, the IBMP "lacks
accountability and transparency." The IBMP has also been criticized by Gov.
Schweitzer. Despite criticism, federal and state government agencies acted under
the IBMP to sanction the slaughter of over 1,600 wild bison this past winter under
the guise of preventing the spread of disease to cattle. However, the largest
slaughter of buffalo since the 19th century did not prevent cattle in Greater
Yellowstone from being afflicted. "There has never been transmission of brucellosis
from bison to cattle in the wild, and it is clear that no link can be made between
the current outbreak in Pray and Yellowstone's buffalo herds, which haven't been
that far north in the Paradise Valley since they were extirpated for livestock
interests. It's time to scrap the useless IBMP, which treats buffalo as diseased,
domesticated animals instead of as wildlife," said Buffalo Allies member Jim
Macdonald.

Buffalo Allies of Bozeman contends that there is no reason bison should be
considered "a species requiring disease control," as they are currently classified
under Montana law. The group supports a legislative bill proposed by the Gallatin
Wildlife Association, which has in part called for repealing Montana law 81-2-120,
where bison are managed by the Department of Livestock as a disease issue.

"These American icons are the only animals that cross Yellowstone National Park's
boundary with a death sentence," said Macdonald. "The current rhetoric from state
officials refuses to consider that diseased Mexican Corriente roping cattle may have
been the source of the outbreak in Pray. Let's stop pouring tax dollars into a
failed plan, where we spend more than what Montana's economy will suffer for losing
its brucellosis-free status."

The grassroots group will be hosting a forum at the Bozeman Public Library on
Monday, June 30, at 6:30 PM with State Representative Mike Phillips. This forum will
introduce ways in which Bozeman residents can take action to stop the mistreatment
of buffalo. In addition to these events, Buffalo Allies of Bozeman will be hosting a
community potluck in Beall Park on Sunday, June 29, at 7 PM.

Buffalo Allies of Bozeman meets every Wednesday at 7 PM at Montana State
University's Strand Union Building. For more information, please visit:
http://www.buffaloallies.org.


Web Site: http://www.buffaloallies.org

Contact Details: Contact: Chris Klatt
406-599-3629
lodgepole@riseup.net