On Dec. 12, 2001, the Department of Agriculture declared Florida free of brucellosis and lifted certain restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle from that state.

Brucellosis class-free status will enhance the national and international marketability of Florida's 20,000 cattle operations, about 98 percent of which are owned by small farmers.

Brucellosis class-free status is based on a state carrying out all requirements of the brucellosis program and finding no cases of brucellosis in cattle and bison for 12 months.

Florida joins 47 other states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands in achieving brucellosis class-free status.