Missouri SB964 Immediate Action Required: Captive Cervids Transfer is Still Alive in Senate
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 9:58 PM
To: BSE-L BSE-L
Cc: warhovert@missouri.edu ; abbottjm@missouri.edu ; waltermr@missouri.edu ; John.McLaughlin@missouri.edu ; connerek@missouri.edu ; contact@dnr.mo.gov
; Shelly.Witt@mda.mo.gov ; Animal.Health@mda.mo.gov ; acfa@mda.mo.gov ; animalid@mda.mo.gov ; Linda.Hickam@mda.mo.gov ; CJDVOICE
CJDVOICE ; bloodcjd bloodcjd ; Sandy.Crawford@house.mo.gov ; Tim.Jones@house.mo.gov ; Robert.Ross@house.mo.gov ; jnhoughton@gmail.com ; Mike.Thomson@house.mo.gov ; Randy.Pike@house.mo.gov ; Rocky.Miller@house.mo.gov ; Craig.Redmon@house.mo.gov ; Todd.Richardson@house.mo.gov ; Jeanie.Riddle@house.mo.gov ; Linda.Black@house.mo.gov ; Ben.Harris@house.mo.gov ; TJ.McKenna@house.mo.gov ; Ed.Schieffer@house.mo.gov ; news@kolr10.com
Subject: Missouri SB964 Immediate Action Required: Captive Cervids
Transfer is Still Alive in Senate
Missouri SB964 Immediate Action Required: Captive Cervids Transfer is Still
Alive in Senate
Subject: Immediate Action Required: Captive Cervids Transfer is Still Alive
in Senate
MDC Header Immediate Action Required: Captive Cervids Transfer is Still
Alive in Senate
The Missouri Department of Conservation is sending this information as a
conservation-partner courtesy to the Conservation Federation of Missouri.
April 29, 2014
From the Conservation Federation of Missouri
Immediate Action Required: Captive Cervids Transfer is Still Alive in
Senate Members of the Missouri Senate are still pushing for passage of SB964.
This bill aims to transfer control of captive cervids from the Missouri
Department of Conservation to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, even
though both departments are opposed to the transfer.
SB964 was perfected on April 23, and is on the Formal Calendar for its
third reading. This may happen today. If SB964 passes its third reading, it will
head to the House for approval.
Time is of the essence. Please act now to let your Senator know you are
opposed to SB964 and the transfer of captive cervids from the Department of
Conservation to the Department of Agriculture.
Use the following link to look up your Senator and their contact
information: http://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup
Dear Senator (Blank),
As your constituent, I need you to know that I am adamantly opposed to
SB964 and the transfer of captive white-tailed deer from the Department of
Conservation to the Department of Agriculture.
There are an estimated 1.5 million wild whitetails in the state of Missouri
that over 500,000 hunters pursue each fall. Protecting the wildlife of our state
is a major concern of mine. It is also a major concern of my family and my
friends.
Please vote NO to SB964.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME)
*****END*****
Game Farm, CWD Concerns Rise at Boone and Crockett Club
Sunday, April 06, 2014
The Conservation Federation of Missouri is Opposed to the Transfer of
Captive White-tailed Deer Management
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Indiana State Senate chief David Long calls for study of trophy deer
industry's disease risks
Tuesday, July 02, 2013
National Rifle Association and the Unified Sportsman of Florida support a
Florida ban on the importation of captive deer and cervids into Florida
Friday, March 07, 2014
37th Annual Southeast Deer Study Group Meeting in Athens, Georgia (CWD TSE
Prion abstracts)
Sunday, September 01, 2013
*** hunting over gut piles and CWD TSE prion disease
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Mineral licks: motivational factors for visitation and accompanying disease
risk at communal use sites of elk and deer Environmental Geochemistry and Health
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Potential role of soil properties in the spread of CWD in western Canada
New studies on the heat resistance of hamster-adapted scrapie agent:
Threshold survival after ashing at 600°C suggests an inorganic template of
replication
Prion Infected Meat-and-Bone Meal Is Still Infectious after Biodiesel
Production
Detection of protease-resistant cervid prion protein in water from a
CWD-endemic area
A Quantitative Assessment of the Amount of Prion Diverted to Category 1
Materials and Wastewater During Processing
Rapid assessment of bovine spongiform encephalopathy prion inactivation by
heat treatment in yellow grease produced in the industrial manufacturing process
of meat and bone meals
PPo4-4: Survival and Limited Spread of TSE Infectivity after Burial
Monday, March 03, 2014
*** APHIS to Offer Indemnity for CWD Positive Herds as Part of Its Cervid
Health Activities ???
Saturday, February 04, 2012
*** Wisconsin 16 age limit on testing dead deer Game Farm CWD Testing
Protocol Needs To Be Revised
Approximately 4,200 fawns, defined as deer under 1 year of age, were
sampled from the eradication zone over the last year. The majority of fawns
sampled were between the ages of 5 to 9 months, though some were as young as 1
month.
*** Two of the six fawns with CWD detected were 5 to 6 months old. All six
of the positive fawns were taken from the core area of the CWD eradication zone
where the highest numbers of positive deer have been identified.
USDA VS DNR $$$
*** Spraker suggested an interesting explanation for the occurrence of CWD.
The deer pens at the Foot Hills Campus were built some 30-40 years ago by a Dr.
Bob Davis. At or abut that time, allegedly, some scrapie work was conducted at
this site. When deer were introduced to the pens they occupied ground that had
previously been occupied by sheep. ... also, see where even decades back, the
USDA had the same thought as they do today with CWD, not their problem...see
page 27 below as well, where USDA stated back then, the same thing they stated
in the state of Pennsylvania, not their damn business, once they escape, and
they said the same thing about CWD in general back then ; ”The occurrence of CWD
must be viewed against the contest of the locations in which it occurred. It was
an incidental and unwelcome complication of the respective wildlife research
programmes. Despite it’s subsequent recognition as a new disease of cervids,
therefore justifying direct investigation, no specific research funding was
forthcoming.
***The USDA veiwed it as a wildlife problem and consequently not their
province!” ...page 26.
”The occurrence of CWD must be viewed against the contest of the locations
in which it occurred. It was an incidental and unwelcome complication of the
respective wildlife research programmes. Despite it’s subsequent recognition as
a new disease of cervids, therefore justifying direct investigation, no specific
research funding was forthcoming. The USDA veiwed it as a wildlife problem and
consequently not their province!” ...page 26.
sound familiar $$$
Sunday, January 06, 2013
USDA TO PGC ONCE CAPTIVES ESCAPE *** "it‘s no longer its business.”
Between 1996 and 2002, chronic wasting disease was diagnosed in 39 herds of
farmed elk in Saskatchewan in a single epidemic. All of these herds were
depopulated as part of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) disease
eradication program. Animals, primarily over 12 mo of age, were tested for the
presence CWD prions following euthanasia. Twenty-one of the herds were linked
through movements of live animals with latent CWD from a single infected source
herd in Saskatchewan, 17 through movements of animals from 7 of the secondarily
infected herds.
***The source herd is believed to have become infected via importation of
animals from a game farm in South Dakota where CWD was subsequently diagnosed
(7,4). A wide range in herd prevalence of CWD at the time of herd depopulation
of these herds was observed. Within-herd transmission was observed on some
farms, while the disease remained confined to the introduced animals on other
farms. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2081988/
Friday, May 13, 2011
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) outbreaks and surveillance program in the
Republic of Korea Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) outbreaks and surveillance
program in the Republic of Korea
Hyun-Joo Sohn, Yoon-Hee Lee, Min-jeong Kim, Eun-Im Yun, Hyo-Jin Kim,
Won-Yong Lee, Dong-Seob Tark, In- Soo Cho, Foreign Animal Disease Research
Division, National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service, Republic of Korea
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been recognized as an important prion
disease in native North America deer and Rocky mountain elks. The disease is a
unique member of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), which
naturally affects only a few species. CWD had been limited to USA and Canada
until 2000.
On 28 December 2000, information from the Canadian government showed that a
total of 95 elk had been exported from farms with CWD to Korea. These consisted
of 23 elk in 1994 originating from the so-called “source farm” in Canada, and 72
elk in 1997, which had been held in pre export quarantine at the “source
farm”.Based on export information of CWD suspected elk from Canada to Korea, CWD
surveillance program was initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
(MAF) in 2001.
All elks imported in 1997 were traced back, however elks imported in 1994
were impossible to identify. CWD control measures included stamping out of all
animals in the affected farm, and thorough cleaning and disinfection of the
premises. In addition, nationwide clinical surveillance of Korean native
cervids, and improved measures to ensure reporting of CWD suspect cases were
implemented.
Total of 9 elks were found to be affected. CWD was designated as a
notifiable disease under the Act for Prevention of Livestock Epidemics in 2002.
Additional CWD cases - 12 elks and 2 elks - were diagnosed in 2004 and
2005.
Since February of 2005, when slaughtered elks were found to be positive,
all slaughtered cervid for human consumption at abattoirs were designated as
target of the CWD surveillance program. Currently, CWD laboratory testing is
only conducted by National Reference Laboratory on CWD, which is the Foreign
Animal Disease Division (FADD) of National Veterinary Research and Quarantine
Service (NVRQS).
In July 2010, one out of 3 elks from Farm 1 which were slaughtered for the
human consumption was confirmed as positive. Consequently, all cervid – 54 elks,
41 Sika deer and 5 Albino deer – were culled and one elk was found to be
positive. Epidemiological investigations were conducted by Veterinary
Epidemiology Division (VED) of NVRQS in collaboration with provincial veterinary
services.
Epidemiologically related farms were found as 3 farms and all cervid at
these farms were culled and subjected to CWD diagnosis. Three elks and 5
crossbreeds (Red deer and Sika deer) were confirmed as positive at farm 2.
All cervids at Farm 3 and Farm 4 – 15 elks and 47 elks – were culled and
confirmed as negative.
Further epidemiological investigations showed that these CWD outbreaks were
linked to the importation of elks from Canada in 1994 based on circumstantial
evidences.
In December 2010, one elk was confirmed as positive at Farm 5.
Consequently, all cervid – 3 elks, 11 Manchurian Sika deer and 20 Sika deer –
were culled and one Manchurian Sika deer and seven Sika deer were found to be
positive. This is the first report of CWD in these sub-species of deer.
Epidemiological investigations found that the owner of the Farm 2 in CWD
outbreaks in July 2010 had co-owned the Farm 5.
In addition, it was newly revealed that one positive elk was introduced
from Farm 6 of Jinju-si Gyeongsang Namdo. All cervid – 19 elks, 15 crossbreed
(species unknown) and 64 Sika deer – of Farm 6 were culled, but all confirmed as
negative.
: Corresponding author: Dr. Hyun-Joo Sohn (+82-31-467-1867, E-mail:
shonhj@korea.kr) 2011 Pre-congress Workshop: TSEs in animals and their
environment 5
Friday, May 13, 2011
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) outbreaks and surveillance program in the
Republic of Korea
how many states have $465,000., and can quarantine and purchase there from,
each cwd said infected farm, but how many states can afford this for all the cwd
infected cervid game ranch type farms ???
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD WISCONSIN Almond Deer (Buckhorn Flats) Farm
Update DECEMBER 2011
*** The CWD infection rate was nearly 80%, the highest ever in a North
American captive herd.
*** RECOMMENDATION: That the Board approve the purchase of 80 acres of land
for $465,000 for the Statewide Wildlife Habitat Program in Portage County and
approve the restrictions on public use of the site.
SUMMARY:
October 11, 2013
Protecting Missouri's White-Tailed Deer fill out the questionnaire ;
Friday, September 20, 2013
Missouri State records show gaps in oversight of captive deer farms,
ranches
Sunday, June 09, 2013
Missouri House forms 13-member Interim Committee on the Cause and Spread of
Chronic Wasting Disease CWD
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
CWD Missouri remains confined to Linn-Macon-County Core Area with four new
cases
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Missouri sixth case CWD documented northwest Macon County
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
CWD found in two free-ranging deer from Macon County Missouri
Friday, February 26, 2010
Chronic wasting disease found in Missouri deer
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Three more cases of CWD found in free-ranging deer in Macon County
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 6:26 PM
To: warhovert@missouri.edu
Cc: abbottjm@missouri.edu ; waltermr@missouri.edu ;
John.McLaughlin@missouri.edu ; connerek@missouri.edu ; contact@dnr.mo.gov ;
Shelly.Witt@mda.mo.gov ; Animal.Health@mda.mo.gov ; acfa@mda.mo.gov ;
animalid@mda.mo.gov ; Linda.Hickam@mda.mo.gov
Subject: re-Missouri officials seek states' advice on chronic wasting
disease in deer
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Missouri MDC staff will provide information on five recently found cases of
CWD in free-ranging deer in northwest Macon County June 2, 2012
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
Missouri MDC seeks hunters’ help when processing harvested deer and
preventing CWD
Thursday, December 20, 2012
MISSOURI Initial CWD sampling test results available online from MDC so far
one adult buck has tested positive for the disease
Friday, October 21, 2011 Chronic Wasting Disease Found in Captive Deer
Missouri October 20, 2011
Chronic Wasting Disease Found in Captive Deer
The Missouri departments of Agriculture, Conservation and Health and Senior
Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that a captive
white-tailed deer in Macon County, Missouri has tested positive for Chronic
Wasting Disease (CWD). CWD is a neurological disease found in deer, elk and
moose.
snip...
The animal that tested positive for CWD was a captive white-tailed deer
inspected as part of the State's CWD surveillance and testing program.
Preliminary tests were conducted by the USDA National Veterinary Services
Laboratory in Ames, Iowa.
snip...
In February 2010 a case of CWD was confirmed in Linn County on a captive
hunting preserve operated by the same entity, Heartland Wildlife Ranches, LLC.
The Linn County facility was depopulated and no further infection was identified
at that facility. The current case was identified through increased surveillance
required by the management plan implemented from the previous CWD incident.
snip...
Friday, October 21, 2011
Chronic Wasting Disease Found in Captive Deer Missouri
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
*** CWD Herd Certification Program and Interstate Movement of Farmed or
Captive Deer, Elk, and Moose FR Doc No: 2014-09714 April 29, 2014 UPDATE
> First transmission of CWD to transgenic mice over-expressing bovine
prion protein gene (TgSB3985)
PRION 2014 - PRIONS: EPIGENETICS and NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES – Shaping
up the future of prion research
Animal TSE Workshop 10.40 – 11.05 Talk Dr. L. Cervenakova First
transmission of CWD to transgenic mice over-expressing bovine prion protein gene
(TgSB3985)
UPDATED CORRESPONDENCE FROM AUTHORS OF THIS STUDY I.E. COLBY, PRUSINER ET
AL, ABOUT MY CONCERNS OF THE DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THEIR FIGURES AND MY FIGURES OF
THE STUDIES ON CWD TRANSMISSION TO CATTLE ;
CWD to cattle figures CORRECTION
Greetings,
I believe the statement and quote below is incorrect ;
"CWD has been transmitted to cattle after intracerebral inoculation,
although the infection rate was low (4 of 13 animals [Hamir et al. 2001]). This
finding raised concerns that CWD prions might be transmitted to cattle grazing
in contaminated pastures."
Please see ;
Within 26 months post inoculation, 12 inoculated animals had lost weight,
revealed abnormal clinical signs, and were euthanatized. Laboratory tests
revealed the presence of a unique pattern of the disease agent in tissues of
these animals. These findings demonstrate that when CWD is directly inoculated
into the brain of cattle, 86% of inoculated cattle develop clinical signs of the
disease.
" although the infection rate was low (4 of 13 animals [Hamir et al.
2001]). "
shouldn't this be corrected, 86% is NOT a low rate. ...
kindest regards,
Terry S. Singeltary Sr. P.O. Box 42 Bacliff, Texas USA 77518
Thank you!
Thanks so much for your updates/comments. We intend to publish as rapidly
as possible all updates/comments that contribute substantially to the topic
under discussion.
re-Prions David W. Colby1,* and Stanley B. Prusiner1,2 + Author
Affiliations
1Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San
Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143 2Department of Neurology, University
of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143 Correspondence:
stanley@ind.ucsf.edu
Mule deer, white-tailed deer, and elk have been reported to develop CWD. As
the only prion disease identified in free-ranging animals, CWD appears to be far
more communicable than other forms of prion disease. CWD was first described in
1967 and was reported to be a spongiform encephalopathy in 1978 on the basis of
histopathology of the brain. Originally detected in the American West, CWD has
spread across much of North America and has been reported also in South Korea.
In captive populations, up to 90% of mule deer have been reported to be positive
for prions (Williams and Young 1980). The incidence of CWD in cervids living in
the wild has been estimated to be as high as 15% (Miller et al. 2000). The
development of transgenic (Tg) mice expressing cervid PrP, and thus susceptible
to CWD, has enhanced detection of CWD and the estimation of prion titers
(Browning et al. 2004; Tamgüney et al. 2006). Shedding of prions in the feces,
even in presymptomatic deer, has been identified as a likely source of infection
for these grazing animals (Williams and Miller 2002; Tamgüney et al. 2009b). CWD
has been transmitted to cattle after intracerebral inoculation, although the
infection rate was low (4 of 13 animals [Hamir et al. 2001]). This finding
raised concerns that CWD prions might be transmitted to cattle grazing in
contaminated pastures.
snip...
----- Original Message -----
From: David Colby To: flounder9@verizon.net
Cc: stanley@XXXXXXXX
Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 8:25 AM
Subject: Re: FW: re-Prions David W. Colby1,* and Stanley B. Prusiner1,2 +
Author Affiliations
Dear Terry Singeltary,
Thank you for your correspondence regarding the review article Stanley
Prusiner and I recently wrote for Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives. Dr. Prusiner
asked that I reply to your message due to his busy schedule. We agree that the
transmission of CWD prions to beef livestock would be a troubling development
and assessing that risk is important. In our article, we cite a peer-reviewed
publication reporting confirmed cases of laboratory transmission based on
stringent criteria. The less stringent criteria for transmission described in
the abstract you refer to lead to the discrepancy between your numbers and ours
and thus the interpretation of the transmission rate. We stand by our assessment
of the literature--namely that the transmission rate of CWD to bovines appears
relatively low, but we recognize that even a low transmission rate could have
important implications for public health and we thank you for bringing attention
to this matter. Warm Regards, David Colby -- David Colby, PhDAssistant Professor
Department of Chemical Engineering University of Delaware
===========END...TSS==============
SNIP...SEE FULL TEXT ;
UPDATED DATA ON 2ND CWD STRAIN Wednesday, September 08, 2010 CWD PRION
CONGRESS SEPTEMBER 8-11 2010
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Susceptibility of cattle to the agent of chronic wasting disease from elk
after intracranial inoculation 2012
Research Project: TRANSMISSION, DIFFERENTIATION, AND PATHOBIOLOGY OF
TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHIES Location: Virus and Prion Research
Unit
Thursday, November 21, 2013
*** Assessing the susceptibility of transgenic mice over-expressing deer
prion protein to bovine spongiform encephalopathy
The present study was designed to assess the susceptibility of the
prototypic mouse line, Tg(CerPrP)1536+/- to bovine spongiform encephalopathy
(BSE) prions, which have the ability to overcome species barriers.
Tg(CerPrP)1536+/- mice challenged with red deer-adapted BSE resulted in a
90-100% attack rates, BSE from cattle failed to transmit, indicating agent
adaptation in the deer.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
*** Exploring the zoonotic potential of animal prion diseases: In vivo and
in vitro approaches ***
*** These results would seem to suggest that CWD does indeed have zoonotic
potential, at least as judged by the compatibility of CWD prions and their human
PrPC target. Furthermore, extrapolation from this simple in vitro assay suggests
that if zoonotic CWD occurred, it would most likely effect those of the PRNP
codon 129-MM genotype and that the PrPres type would be similar to that found in
the most common subtype of sCJD (MM1).
Sunday, April 27, 2014
*** Indiana State Senate chief David Long calls
for study of trophy deer industry's disease risks
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
*** CWD Herd Certification Program and
Interstate Movement of Farmed or Captive Deer, Elk, and Moose FR Doc No:
2014-09714 April 29, 2014 UPDATE
OLD HISTORY ON CWD AND GAME FARMS IN USA 1998 - 2000
Elk CWD spreading on game farms
Elk & game farming in other states
Utah Fish and Game Dept
The state of Utah has little experience with big game farming. In an effort
to understand elk and game farming, the Division has contacted other states that
allow elk farming. The following are some of the problems other states associate
with elk farming reported to the Division:
MONTANA
Karen Zachiem with Montana Parks and Wildlife reported that Montana allows
game farming. Initial regulations were inadequate to protect the state's
wildlife resources. The state has tried to tighten up regulations related to
game farming, resulting in a series of lawsuits against the state from elk
ranchers. Zachiem reported that the tightening of regulations was in response to
the discovery of TB in wildlife (elk, deer, and coyotes) surrounding a TB
infected game farm. TB has been found on several game farms in Montana. Also,
they have had problems with wildlife entering game farms as well as game farm
animals escaping the farms. Finally, there has been a growth in shooting ranches
in Montana. Game farmers allow hunters to come into enclosures to kill trophy
game farm animals, raising the issues of fair chase and hunting ethics.
WASHINGTON
Rolph Johnson with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, reported
that Washington allows game farming, but it is strictly regulated to safeguard
wildlife. Washington opposed the law when first proposed for the following
reasons: introduction of disease and parasites; hybridization of wildlife
species; habitat loss; health risks to humans, wildlife, and livestock; and
state responsibility to recover or destroy escaped elk. Game farming is not cost
effective due to the restrictions needed to prevent these problems.
NEW MEXICO
Jerry Macacchini, with New Mexico Game and Fish, reported that New Mexico
has problems with game farming and a moratorium on elk and game farming has been
imposed by the state at the request of its citizens. Problems identified in the
moratorium were: escaped game farm animals; theft of native elk herds; and
disease.
OREGON
Dan Edwards, with Oregon Fish and Wildlife, reported that Oregon has very
little elk farming and is now prohibited by regulation. The elk farms that are
in operation existed prior to the adoption of game farm regulations. Individuals
who want to elk farm, must buy out an existing elk farm owner. Elk farms are no
longer permitted due to, "...current and imminent threats to Oregon's native
deer and elk herds and social and economic values.'' Oregon has documented
numerous game farm animals that have escapeed from private game farms. Concerns
about elk farming arose during public elk management meetings. The impacts of
privately held cervids on publicly owned wildlife were a recurring issue
throughout the elk management process. Key issues included: disease and
parasites; escape and interbreeding of domestic animals with native wildlife;
illegal kills for meat; and theft of public wildlife.
WYOMING
Harry Harju, assistant wildlife chief with Wyoming Fish and Game, reported
that elk or game farming is now prohibited in Wyoming. Only one game ranch
exists in Wyoming, which was operating before the passage of the law. The state
of Wyoming was sued by several game breeders associations for not allowing elk
farming. The game breeders lost their suit in the United States Court of
Appeals, Tenth Circuit. The court maintained that the state had authority to
regulate commerce and protect wildlife. Wyoming has had problems with big game
farming originating in surrounding states. Wyoming has documented the harvest of
red deer and their hybrids during elk hunts on the Snowy Mountain range that
borders Colorado. Wyoming speculates that the red deer were escapees from
Colorado game farms. Hybridization is viewed as threat to the genetic integrity
of Wyoming's wild elk population.
In a public hearing, the public voted against game farms in the state of
Wyoming. Wyoming's Cattlemen's Association and Department of Agriculture opposed
elk and big game farms, as well, particularly due to disease risks. Brucellosis
is a major problem for wildlife and livestock in the Yellowstone Basin.
NEVADA
Nevada reports that big game farms are allowed in Nevada. Nevada has not
had any problems as a result of big game farms. However, Nevada has only one big
game farm in the entire state and it is a reindeer farm.
IDAHO
Wildlife Chief Tom Rienecker reported that Idaho Fish and Game once
regulated elk farming in their state, but lost jurisdiction of elk farming to
the Department of Agriculture as a result of pressure from elk farmers. Idaho
has 20-30 big game ranches. Idaho has had problems with escapes and several law
enforcement cases have been filed against suspects who have taken calves out of
the wild for elk farming purposes. Disease has not been a problem for Idaho.
COLORADO
John Seidel, with Colorado Division of Wildlife, reported that the Division
used to regulate big game farming until the big game breeders association
petitioned for the Department of Agriculture to assume authority over big game
farming because too many citations were issued to elk farms for violations.
Colorado experienced numerous poaching incidents with elk calves from the wild
and theft of whole herds of wild elk captured in private farms. Seidel reported
that some of the larger "elk shooting ranches" have been investigated and
charged with capturing wild herds of elk within the shooting preserve fences.
Seidel reported that there have been documented problems with disease (TB);
escaped hybrids and exotics; intrusion of rutting wild elk into game farms;
massive recapture efforts for escapees and intruders; and loss of huge tracts of
land fenced for shooting preserves/ranches. Based on their experiences, the
Colorado Division of Wildlife wishes they did not have big game farms in
Colorado. Seidel believes that CEBA would fight hard to open Utah to elk farming
to provide a market for breeding stock in Utah ($3,000 & up for a bull and
$8,000 & up for a breeding cow).
ARIZONA
The Arizona Game and Fish Department reports that elk farming is legal in
Arizona but the agency would not allow it if they had to do it all over again.
Arizona reported the loss of huge blocks of land to fencing and some disease
problems.
ALBERTA, CANADA
Alberta has allowed elk farming for a number of years. To date, Alberta has
spent $10,000,000 and destroyed 2,000 elk in an unsuccessful attempt to control
the spread of tuberculosis. Based upon the game farming experiences of these
states, their recommendation to Utah was not to allow elk farming.
OTHER
The Division has contacted several state and federal veterinarians. The
opinions of some agricultural veterinarians differed from wildlife
veterinarians. Some veterinarians endorsed elk farming with the right regulatory
safeguards. Other veterinarians opposed elk farming due to the risks to wildlife
and livestock. This issue needs a more comprehensive review. The Division also
contacted a Special Agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who conducted
a covert investigation in Colorado to gather intelligence on elk farming and
detect poaching activity of wild elk. Although poaching was not detected, the
agent described his experience with pyramid schemes in elk sales; lack of a meat
market; falsification of veterinarian records for farmed elk; escapes and
intrusions between wild and captive elk; inadequate inspections by brand
inspectors; transportation of TB infected elk; and the temperament of the elk
themselves. The Colorado Elk Breeders Association (CEBA) told the Division that
CEBA did not approve of elk poaching and has turned in fellow elk farmers for
poaching live elk calves from the wild.
CEBA told Utah legislators that the Colorado Division of Wildlife did not
like elk ranching at first, but has come to see that elk farming is not as bad
as they originally thought it would be. The Colorado Division of Wildlife
disagreed with CEBA's perception of their relationship.
snip...see more ;
CWD game meat from USA and Canada: lack of import controls
1,500 elk destroyed in hopes of eradicating CWD infection
Hunt farms voted out of Montana
Game farm rules argued pro and con in Montana
Big game, big business
Montana hunters blast game farms
layperson
Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at
9:53 PM
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