CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE (CWD) NADeFA^® POSITION STATEMENT

The North American Deer Farmers Association^® (NADeFA^®) is dedicated to the promotion of deer farming and ranching as an agricultural pursuit and serves its members through its educational programs and publications and by providing leadership in setting and maintaining quality standards.  

Recognizing the current uncertainty with our state regulatory agencies concerning the question of Chronic Wasting Disease (“CWD”), and in the spirit of offering constructive, safe and workable regulations for the movement of Cervidae around the country, the following guidelines are offered:  

• NADeFA^® recommends to its membership and the industry that all Cervid farmers enrolled in a state administered CWD surveillance or monitoring program also work toward a TB accredited herd status.

• NADeFA^® recommends that each animal bear a unique, individual identification number.  The State Veterinarian will approve methods of identification; ear tags and tattoos are currently approved.

• NADeFA^® recommends a live animal test for CWD be pursued.  States, provinces, and the domestic Cervid industry should assist the leading experts on CWD by funding extensive research and development in order to create a live animal CWD disease test.

• NADeFA^® recommends that hunted carcasses from within endemic zones be prohibited from leaving those zones, unless they are CWD tested.  Only processed meat, cape, and antlers can enter states.

• NADeFA^® recommends the prevention of feeding any animal by-products to any Cervidae.

• NADeFA^® recommends that interstate and intrastate movement of deer, elk, and other Cervids remain open, except from areas with positive CWD test results, through December 31, 2002. 

• NADeFA^® recommends that restrictions be only for known susceptible species.

• Beginning January 1, 2003, all Cervid farms enrolled in a state administered program in 2002 will receive one year monitored status and will gain additional years of surveillance status needed through certification by a licensed veterinarian.

• NADeFA^® recommends TB testing continues as presently required by current federal law.

• NADeFA^® further recommends that interstate movement rely on a single Brucellosis test.  

If Interstate and Intrastate movement is stopped it will worsen the current situation.  A disease issue is not resolved by locking down an industry.  History shows continued movement will encourage and result in further testing and tracking of animals.

 

 

 

 

 

August 1, 2002