Cervid Industry Unites To Set Direction for CWD Reform

Pasted below is the news release from ACA Website





April 10, 2013






This week American Cervid Alliance Council members convened to review the latest progress of the CWD Standards Working Group and determine the next steps in the process. The three cervid industry representatives – Eric Molhman, Shawn Shafer and Charly Seale, all agreed to allow the negotiating process continue until the Standards Working Group has concluded.



The CWD Standards Working Group was created last fall by an approved resolution at the United States Animal Health Commission Association’s (USAHA) Annual Conference. The charge of the Standards Working Group is to review the current draft of the Federal Program Standards document and suggest changes. These changes apply to the standards, not the rule. The Working Group is represented by the three industry representatives, several state veterinarians, wildlife officials, and the United States Department of Agriculture. The three national cervid associations each have seat- Shawn Shafer of the North American Deer Farmers Association, Eric Molhman of the North American Elk Breeders Association, and Charly Seale of the Exotic Wildlife Association.



As of last night, over two dozen state and national cervid associations registered to become voting members of the American Cervid Alliance to bring their membership’s voice to the leadership council. After the vote, several more associations registered to sign on.



Shawn Shafer, Eric Molhman, and Charly Seale each agreed during the meeting that the industry must be on the same page about the process. The agreed process is to allow the Standards Working Group to play out and stand united as they voice concerns next week in Washington DC. They would not recommend advancing the standards document forward to public comment if there are still detrimental requirements in the final draft. Eric Molhman stated, “We are willing to negotiate as long as we are making progress and I believe Shawn and Charly agree on this.”



Travis Lowe of the Kansas Cervid Breeders Association stated there was a lot of confusion among people in the industry of what exactly is the process and where associations stand. Lowe said, “Tonight we need to unite as an industry and send a clear message to everyone that this is the process and we will make a determination later this month when we have the final document.” Lowe offered a motion to ask every councilman to agree to the process. The motion carried 24-0.



By the end of April there should be a clear picture if the Working Group is making progress.



Please visit www.americancervidalliance.org to learn more about the American Cervid Alliance.

David,

Yes, it was a rollcall vote that resulted with unanimous approval. As the ACA news release stated, it was a 24-0 vote.



Thanks,

Travis

Every state deer or elk association is welcome to participate with the ACA to carry the voice of their respective membership to the leadership council. Also, that association will hear first hand information to bring back home to inform their own membership.



There are a few associations that are not yet on the registered representatives list. To the best of my knowledge, all associations have been invited. If there was an oversight, it was unintended and they are encouraged to contact Eric Molhman or myself and we we will get them fixed up. We just need an email from their president.



Of the mentioned associations not on the registered list, I will not speculate their intentions but many of those have been participating throughout the last several months. I believe several of them just haven't had a chance to allow their board to appoint their councilman yet.



To be a "registered" voting council member the ACA simply needs an email from their association president designating who will speak for their association. That is also for the protection of the participating association to ensure they know who will actually cast a decision on their behalf and not someone that wasn't authorized by their board of directors.



For anyone out there that are members of an association not on the list and feel you should be, I would encourage yall to contact your association's leadership. The more participation the stronger the display.



Hope this helps.



Respectfully,

Travis

Id offer the reminder that a lot of states that do not have active associations still have breeders that seek representation from their national association. A quick example comes to mind with Montana.. Few elk breeders remain today since the Montana legislative defeat in 2000 that ended captive hunting. There is no Montana Elk Breeders Association but there are a few breeders in the state that still seek representation from their national association. Kim Kafka is an elk breeder from Montana and is actually the current president of the North American Elk Breeders Association. One could then conclude that Montana still has representation at the ACA level through NAEBA.



Of course there are many more examples with other states as well.



Hope this helps.



Respectfully,

Travis