Review: Version 23 of Chronic Wasting Disease Program Standards “Better than Version 22, but still Burdensome to Industry”

From the American Cervid Alliance News Room


January 7, 2014


 


18pxReview: Version 23 of Chronic Wasting Disease Program Standards

“Better than Version 22, but still Burdensome to Industry�


18pxACA Creates Comparison Chart to Show New Changes


 


 


Please click link for comparison chart between Version 22 and Version 23.


AYR, NE- The long anticipated 23rd version of the Chronic Wasting Disease CWD Program Standards was published last week, marking the end of formal negotiations with USDA/APHIS and the start of the public comment period. The public comment period will last until March 31, 2014, and is the final step of the process before the USDA officially unveils their suggested guidelines for Federal Chronic Wasting Disease policy.


After several cervid industry leaders compared Version 23 to Version 22, there have been a few positive changes but several problems referred to as “deal breakers� still exist. The comparison shows language suggesting 100% testing of harvested trophy animals as been removed. Version 23 also removed language for restrictive physical inventories.


Version 23, however, still has major language concerns such as the suggestion of double fencing and mention of 10’ fences.  Containment procedures noted in Version 23 mirror Version 22, including language calling for the removal of 4â€� of top soil on farms with CWD.  Cleaning requirements for sale barns are also still in the document.  On page 34, the USDA recommends producers and transporters contact every state prior to traveling through with deer or elk.


“This is still a document that will cause unnecessary hardship for our members,â€� said Eric Mohlman, Moderator of the ACA.  “If the USDA has 8’ foot fences as the minimum requirement, then it’s inappropriate to even mention 10’ fencing in the standards; which it still does on page 46. These are suggestions that some wildlife agencies will use to over regulate our industry.â€�


The American Cervid Alliance leaders meet this week to discuss the Program Standards and the Chronic Wasting Disease Federal Rule.


 

Deerchaser895851389145142



We don't have to adopt it do we?




 


Deerchaser,


If we want a Federal Rule, we have to have a set of standards. Version 23 is better than Version 22, but I think each version has been better than the last. Version 23 still has major problems though, that you'd think if the USDA wanted them removed they would have done so by now. We can all make comments for the record during the comment period, but the comment period is not a place where miracles occur, because the comment period in July 2012 went very bad for us.


 


If you look at the brand new ACA update from last night's meeting, these standards and the rule itself was a major topic. We had discussion about whether this industry evened wanted a rule. No person of the dozens in attendance could point to one benefit we gain by it,.  The rule itself has added an extra layer of regulations on top of the state, which are not necessary, and wouldnt otherwise be there. The Rule is already in place, but there are a couple options the indsutry could utilize IF the industry wants to stand together. Member associations are going back to their boards right now.


 


Angie, you are correct, the CWD blood test would be a great benefit to the industry and its good to see so many folks working together on this...


 


Travis

jerrilee cave896021389208501



Jack,


When Dr Clifford gets back to Laurie we will know more on what it will take for the number of animals on the blood test research.


There is a CWD herd in Canada that can be used and possible 2 in the US. Beyond that we may have to have volunteer animals depending on the number the government will want to verify the validity of the test.  Slaughter facilities would be great to collect additional data if we could get blood before they are killed.  I would be willing to donate some of my time to help with something like that. We have a processor down the road that is in the deer business that I'm sure would work with us.




 


Jerrilee,


The blood test research effort is great and I am a proponent of the industry raising funds to support it, but is not a solution regarding whether we need a  Federal CWD Rule and Standards. We, as the industry, need to determine if we want this extra layer of government regulation. We can work toward the CWD blood test and vaccine concurrently but we can't forget the question at hand regarding the rule and standards.


 


Travis