Regionalize

As you know, <a href="http://governor.mt.gov/governor/govbio.asp">Gov. Brian Schweitzer</a> wants to regionalize the Brucellosis problem in Montana and make a perimeter around Yellowstone National Park where Brucellosis would be monitored and treated differently than in the rest of the state. I was never very sure about the idea but I listened and wondered about the whole idea of regionalizing a disease problem like this. Some people have claimed it's not good and that made me wonder but I've kept my council.<br />n<br />nNow a story about regionalizing a disease has come to my attention and brings things into sharper focus for me.<br />n<br />n<a href="http://www.theprairiestar.com/articles/2007/06/20/ag_news/updates/update03.txt"><acronym title="United States Cattleman's Association">USCA</acronym> opposes plan to regionalize beef trade</a><br />n<br />n<blockquote>In a letter sent on June 19 to the Senate Finance Committee, the U.S. Cattlemen's Association (<acronym title="United States Cattleman's Association">USCA</acronym>) made it clear that opposing regionalization of Argentina, related to animal health disease issues for import purposes, is one of the organization's "top member-driven policy issues."<br />n<br />n<acronym title="United States Cattleman's Association">USCA</acronym> urged Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, to "strongly oppose any attempt to weaken oversight or regulation of trade with Argentina."<br />n<br />nDespite widespread problems with foot and mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious infection that can destroy entire cattle herds, Argentina has proposed a plan to export beef to the United States from certain regions.<br />n<br />nThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (<acronym title="United States Department of Agriculture, Bought and Paid for by The Big Meat Packers">USDA</acronym>) is currently considering adoption of the proposal to relax restrictions on Argentine beef from some areas by regionalizing trade areas.</blockquote><br />n<br />n"I see said the blind man" as the old saying goes. I now understand the regionalization issue better and why maybe it isn't a good idea. I really think the Governor needs to rethink this issue. I don't think regionalization of disease is going to go over good outside of Montana so that will make the whole thing useless. We live in bigger world than just here in Montana and the whole idea has to be acceptable not just to Montanans, but cattle producer and health experts everywhere and this story indicates to tme that it might not be. Animal health is too big of issue to play with in most peoples minds so regionalizing it doesn't appear to be a good idea. <br />n<br />n<strong>I never said I had no idea about most of the things you said I said I had no idea about. Elliott Abrams</strong>