Saint Paul, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives finally discussed, in an informational hearing and on the House Floor, the outbreak of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Minnesota.
During a joint hearing, legislators heard disturbing testimony from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on Minnesota's response to the CWD outbreak. Evidence was presented about the failure of some deer and elk farms to submit required samples from deceased deer for testing for CWD. A chart is below.
“We’ve been in session for 72 days and it took until today for us to finally have the first debate on Chronic Wasting Disease.” said Rep. Rick Hansen. “Minnesota’s 500,000 deer hunters know how important our wild deer herd is, but the Republican majority isn’t making them a priority. Our deer herd not only drives $500 million in economic activity a year, it’s of great ecological importance to our state. We have a lot of work to do to protect our deer and our hunting traditions. I’m committed to delivering on that promise for Minnesotans.”
Later, during debate on the House Floor, Rep. Hansen offered an amendment to revoke deer and elk farm license if samples are not submitted for testing when an animal dies. This added enforcement would help bring compliance to existing law to determine the extent and contain the CWD outbreak in Minnesota. Although the amendment received bipartisan support, it failed 51-72 in the Republican-controlled Minnesota House of Representatives.