Eds: APNewsNow. Fixes typo in headline, changes 'have lifted' to 'are lifting' in lede.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) Federal Agriculture officials say Montana is free of the disease brucellosis and are lifting export restrictions on the state's billion-dollar cattle industry.

Thursday's announcement comes after the state Department of Livestock increased monitoring for the disease following cattle herd infections in 2007 and 2008.

Brucellosis causes pregnant cattle and other animals to miscarry. It has been eradicated elsewhere in the country but lingers in elk, bison and other wildlife in and around Yellowstone National Park, including parts of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.

Cattle herds in Montana must remain free of brucellosis for 12 months or the state could again lose its disease-free status.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-09-09 1215CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list