Dear neighbors,
I hope you were able to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend!
Comprehensive Plan to Address CWD
In previous updates, I’ve talked about the plan to fight the outbreak of chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurological disorder that impacts deer. This comprehensive legislation will help protect our wild deer population by preventing CWD from spreading further. Here’s how:
- The Board of Animal Health and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources receive more funding for disease management.
- The University of Minnesota will research developing a better diagnostic test. Current tests for CWD are time-consuming, expensive, and can’t be performed on live animals.
- Establishing an Adopt-a-Dumpster program will help hunters dispose of carcasses safely.
- Deer farms must have two fences to prevent contact between farmed animals and wild ones. They need to keep these fences in good condition and make repairs promptly.
- Captive deer must have identification.
- All deer farms must be inspected once a year. Inspectors will check fences and the condition of each animal. Deer farms will also need to pay more in annual fees.
- Captive deer that die must be tested for CWD. If the test results are positive, the farm will be depopulated. Since the prions that spread the disease can remain in the soil for years, deer farms must maintain their fences and post biohazard signs for five years after CWD is detected.
MinnPost published an article about the CWD plan last week. You can read it here.
New Appointment
I’ve been nominated to serve on the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee. The legislators and staff that are part of this committee share information about how their home states are confronting issues and educate Congress and the federal government about state matters. I’m excited to talk about the great things that are happening here in Minnesota and learn more about where we could go next.
I always appreciate hearing from community members. Feel free to contact me at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn or 651-296-6828.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative