I appreciate everyone’s passion regarding the battles this industry is facing. There is no doubt this industry is discriminated against with the regulations and double standards we are faced with. The CWD rule and standards are designed to prohibit commerce and put us out of business. They are unacceptable!
It sounds like many of you feel the same and are looking for an answer. We have reached the breaking point and depending on how this last segment of action from USAHA concludes, we are assessing our options and alternatives.
Currently leaders of over two dozen elk and deer breeder associations have met to discuss our options moving forward. As a result from the USAHA Conference, an USDA/cervid industry/state agency working group was formed with its goal to allow the cervid industry along with state ag and fish & game agency officials the opportunity to have input into the CWD Program Standards. A representative from the North American Elk Breeders Association, North American Deer Farmers Association, and Exotic Wildlife Association will each have representatives on this working group. We will know the result of that working group at the conclusion of the USDA’s 90 day period to alter the program standards, which ends January 25, 2013. If there is no change, the writing is on the wall for our industry and change will have to be affected through other avenues.
The Cervid Leaders Working Group is comprised of the leadership of of 20 state and national cervid associations. In this group, every state and national leader comes to the table with an EQUAL voice and able to assert their respective membership’s position. It is essential we stand united as one large group. Having said that it is just as important this group is TRANSPARENT so everyone is aware of progress and not being placated after they submit donations to this cause. Our meeting on November 8th laid the groundwork and got all participants up to speed on the events taking place around the country on several fronts. There was very good discussion and everyone involved was unanimously in favor of taking the next step to begin the process of organizing a proper framework to fundraise and work through. No one is talking about creating a new association or anything like that just set up a vehicle so that all interested parties and associations can come together to speak with one voice. Once again just so everyone is clear the impetus for starting this Cervid Leaders working group was to give ALL associations and their membership an equal voice in the process. I think everyone that was on the call will agree we are trying to give any and all the platform to affect change moving forward.
We encourage everyone that raises deer or elk to join their local, state and national associations so that their voice can be heard. There is a lot at stake for this industry and we love our animals too much to lose our ability to stay in business.
If you have questions or comments, please contact me at the below contact information. I was the moderator on the conference call and have been facilitating the flow of information to the group.
The following associations were represented on the first conference call. If you know of another association or group that wasn’t represented be sure and let me know and I will get them included for the next conference call in a couple weeks.
Cervid Livestock Foundation
Colorado Elk Breeders Association
Deer Breeders COOP
Exotic Wildlife Association
Indiana Deer & Elk Farmers Association
Iowa Elk Breeders Association
Iowa Whitetail Deer Breeders Association
Kansas Cervid Breeders Association
Minnesota Deer Breeders Association
Minnesota Elk Breeders Association
Missouri Elk Farmers Association
Missouri Whitetail Breeders & Hunting Ranch Association
Nebraska Elk Breeders Association
North American Deer Farmers Association
North American Elk Breeders Association
North Dakota Elk Growers Association
Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association
Pennsylvania Elk Breeders Association
Texas Deer Association
Whitetails of Louisiana
Whitetails of Oklahoma
Whitetails of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Commercial Deer & Elk Farmers Association
Respectfully, Eric Mohlman
Executive Director
North American Elk Breeders Association
402-756-3355
[email protected]
It sounds like many of you feel the same and are looking for an answer. We have reached the breaking point and depending on how this last segment of action from USAHA concludes, we are assessing our options and alternatives.
Currently leaders of over two dozen elk and deer breeder associations have met to discuss our options moving forward. As a result from the USAHA Conference, an USDA/cervid industry/state agency working group was formed with its goal to allow the cervid industry along with state ag and fish & game agency officials the opportunity to have input into the CWD Program Standards. A representative from the North American Elk Breeders Association, North American Deer Farmers Association, and Exotic Wildlife Association will each have representatives on this working group. We will know the result of that working group at the conclusion of the USDA’s 90 day period to alter the program standards, which ends January 25, 2013. If there is no change, the writing is on the wall for our industry and change will have to be affected through other avenues.
The Cervid Leaders Working Group is comprised of the leadership of of 20 state and national cervid associations. In this group, every state and national leader comes to the table with an EQUAL voice and able to assert their respective membership’s position. It is essential we stand united as one large group. Having said that it is just as important this group is TRANSPARENT so everyone is aware of progress and not being placated after they submit donations to this cause. Our meeting on November 8th laid the groundwork and got all participants up to speed on the events taking place around the country on several fronts. There was very good discussion and everyone involved was unanimously in favor of taking the next step to begin the process of organizing a proper framework to fundraise and work through. No one is talking about creating a new association or anything like that just set up a vehicle so that all interested parties and associations can come together to speak with one voice. Once again just so everyone is clear the impetus for starting this Cervid Leaders working group was to give ALL associations and their membership an equal voice in the process. I think everyone that was on the call will agree we are trying to give any and all the platform to affect change moving forward.
We encourage everyone that raises deer or elk to join their local, state and national associations so that their voice can be heard. There is a lot at stake for this industry and we love our animals too much to lose our ability to stay in business.
If you have questions or comments, please contact me at the below contact information. I was the moderator on the conference call and have been facilitating the flow of information to the group.
The following associations were represented on the first conference call. If you know of another association or group that wasn’t represented be sure and let me know and I will get them included for the next conference call in a couple weeks.
Cervid Livestock Foundation
Colorado Elk Breeders Association
Deer Breeders COOP
Exotic Wildlife Association
Indiana Deer & Elk Farmers Association
Iowa Elk Breeders Association
Iowa Whitetail Deer Breeders Association
Kansas Cervid Breeders Association
Minnesota Deer Breeders Association
Minnesota Elk Breeders Association
Missouri Elk Farmers Association
Missouri Whitetail Breeders & Hunting Ranch Association
Nebraska Elk Breeders Association
North American Deer Farmers Association
North American Elk Breeders Association
North Dakota Elk Growers Association
Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association
Pennsylvania Elk Breeders Association
Texas Deer Association
Whitetails of Louisiana
Whitetails of Oklahoma
Whitetails of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Commercial Deer & Elk Farmers Association
Respectfully, Eric Mohlman
Executive Director
North American Elk Breeders Association
402-756-3355
[email protected]
