SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, the House Agriculture Committee held a remote hearing to discuss two bills authored by Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls) aimed at preventing the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) among Minnesota’s wild white-tailed deer population, as well as other animal diseases. Committee members also received an update from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BAH) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding the concurrent authority over farmed white-tail deer.
“We’ve been dealing with CWD in Minnesota for several years and the spread remains deeply concerning among Minnesota’s wild deer population. Now, farmers and livestock producers are facing emerging threats from diseases like avian influenza and African swine fever,” Rep. Ecklund said. “With live-testing technology for CWD now at our doorstep, along with further investments in the U of M’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (VDL) with its proven track record as a critical research tool, it’s time to take bolder action to protect wild white-tailed deer and other animal populations.”
The legislation, HF 2814, includes several new requirements for deer farm owners. The bill requires live-animal testing of farmed deer for CWD no later than October 1, 2022, with further testing requirements for those testing positive. In certain circumstances, the farms would be required to depopulate the premises of all farmed Cervidae. Additionally, for farms where CWD is present, a soil test for evidence of CWD is required prior to the sale of the premises. Finally, the bill includes a $250,000 appropriation to the BAH to coordinate live-animal testing with the U of M Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. The committee approved the bill which will next be considered in the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Rep. Ecklund is author of a separate bill to invest $1.5 million in the VDL at the U of M. In addition to CWD, the VDL would use the increased capacity to test for African Swine Fever and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The committee held the bill over for possible inclusion in a future Agriculture finance bill.
Video of the hearing will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube Channel. Documents and other information from the hearing will be available on the committee webpage.