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State Representative Rick Hansen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6828
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Column/LTE
GETTING THE LEAD OUT
Last year I authored a bill giving Minnesota hunters an opportunity to give harvested deer for processing to food shelves free of charge. Prior to the passage of the bi-partisan legislation, hunters had limited or expensive options to donate their venison. Hunters immediately made use of the program, donating thousands of pounds of venison distributed to 68 participating food shelves statewide.
This high-protein meat was accepted with open arms by food shelves facing an increasing demand from a hungrier Minnesota. Tens of thousands of Minnesotans rely on assistance from local food shelves every year. With the rising cost of food and tough economic times, that number continues to grow.
Our new venison donation program is a great way to make the strong Minnesota hunting tradition an instrument for fighting hunger in our communities. Unfortunately, a serious kink has been discovered in the system that must be resolved immediately for the safety and well being of food shelf patrons as well as hunters and their families.
The recent discovery of lead in donated venison is of great concern to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Department of Health, participating food shelves, Minnesota deer hunters and their families, and myself. We need to work together, act quickly to find answers and resolve this problem before the deer season reopens this fall.
In addition, it is important that we pool our efforts with neighboring states that have encountered similar problems with their venison donation programs. By working together in a cooperative, comprehensive effort, we can learn more about why this is happening and unify our efforts to solve the problem.
The presence of lead in donated venison could be indicative of a more widespread problem among all wild game hunting in the state. Or, it could simply be an isolated issue. By funding a study with resources recently appropriated for the venison donation program, we can end speculation and get answers for Minnesotans.
In addition to research, we need to look at the processing, institute better tracking of donated venison, and evaluate impacts or effects of archery, slug or rifle. In the meantime, it will be important to inform our Minnesota hunters and their families of recent events, and keep the hunting population up-to-date on any developments in this important research.
The venison donation program is a unique and effective device of game management and a means of essential nutrition for hungry Minnesotans. To protect the integrity of the program, and the quality of hunting in our state, we must take action now.
News Items
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