Post by ridge on Apr 11, 2018 19:52:01 GMT -5
Grand Rapid News
By Bryce Airgood bairgood@mlive.com
LANSING, MI - A ban on all imported deer and an additional fencing requirement for private deer farms are part of Michigan's proposed changes to help limit the spread of chronic wasting disease.
The proposed legislation would create a three-part plan to protect deer from chronic wasting disease.
The plan:
Prohibits the importation of live cervids - which includes whitetail deer, elk and moose - into Michigan.
Establishes health and safety protocols for privately owned cervids imported before the ban, including a requirement that privately owned deer, elk and moose farms construct a secondary fence around the perimeter of their facilities.
The creation of a new fund dedicated to addressing chronic wasting disease in Michigan. People would have the option to make a voluntary $1, $5 or $10 donation to the fund when purchasing a Michigan hunting license and the donations would go directly toward research into eliminating chronic wasting disease.
The legislation was introduced Tuesday by three state representatives.
Michigan law currently allows people to import live deer into Michigan and only requires captive deer facilities to have one fence.
State Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, said single fences are not cutting it, as they allow wild deer to come nose-to-nose with deer on private farms.
DNR seeks input on Michigan's response to chronic wasting disease
People interested in the health of the state's deer herd will have the chance to give suggestions and comments.
"One sick deer mingling with wild whitetails is all it takes to jeopardize Michigan's hunting heritage," Barrett said.
Barrett, state Rep. Thomas Albert, R-Lowell, and state Rep. Jim Lower, R-Cedar Lake, introduced the legislation.
Chronic wasting disease is a contagious and fatal central nervous system disease found in deer, elk and moose. It causes a spongy degeneration of the brain, resulting in emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and, ultimately, the animal's death.
From April 14, 2015 to May 31, 2016, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources tested 5,385 deer for CWD with seven CWD-positive results. As of March 13, 2018 the DNR has tested 30,706 deer total with 57 CWD-positive deer.
Suspected cases of chronic wasting disease in Michigan deer doubles
Thirty deer have been identified as CWD-positive or "CWD suspect" since 2015.
"Chronic wasting disease is known to spread easily from deer to deer," Lower said. "We must take a more proactive approach to stop its spread in Michigan and protect our healthy, sustainable deer herd."
Lower, Barrett and Albert are all hunters and wanted to work on the legislation together, Lower said.
Lower called CWD the "worst case scenario for people who deer hunt."
High rates of the disease in a deer population could significantly affect the number of deer and could decrease the potential for older deer, especially more mature bucks, according to the DNR.
In 2016, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimated hunting generates more than $2.3 billion in economic impact in Michigan, including expenses related to food and lodging and $1.3 billion spent on equipment.
"Hunters have a stake in this," Lower said. "They value the opportunity to participate in one of Michigan's most treasured traditions, and it all rides on our deer population remaining healthy. This is a smart solution that allows concerned citizens to help protect a valuable natural resource."
Chronic wasting disease confirmed in Mecosta County farmed deer
It is currently unknown how the one-year-old Mecosta County farmed deer became infected.
The Core CWD Area includes 17 townships in Ingham, Clinton, Shiawassee and Eaton counties, and the CWD Management Zone includes the remainder of Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and Shiawassee counties, as well as all of Ionia County, according to the DNR.
To date, there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in humans and there is no evidence chronic wasting disease presents any risk to humans, either through contact with an infected animal or from handling venison.
However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend infected animals not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals.
By Bryce Airgood bairgood@mlive.com
LANSING, MI - A ban on all imported deer and an additional fencing requirement for private deer farms are part of Michigan's proposed changes to help limit the spread of chronic wasting disease.
The proposed legislation would create a three-part plan to protect deer from chronic wasting disease.
The plan:
Prohibits the importation of live cervids - which includes whitetail deer, elk and moose - into Michigan.
Establishes health and safety protocols for privately owned cervids imported before the ban, including a requirement that privately owned deer, elk and moose farms construct a secondary fence around the perimeter of their facilities.
The creation of a new fund dedicated to addressing chronic wasting disease in Michigan. People would have the option to make a voluntary $1, $5 or $10 donation to the fund when purchasing a Michigan hunting license and the donations would go directly toward research into eliminating chronic wasting disease.
The legislation was introduced Tuesday by three state representatives.
Michigan law currently allows people to import live deer into Michigan and only requires captive deer facilities to have one fence.
State Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, said single fences are not cutting it, as they allow wild deer to come nose-to-nose with deer on private farms.
DNR seeks input on Michigan's response to chronic wasting disease
People interested in the health of the state's deer herd will have the chance to give suggestions and comments.
"One sick deer mingling with wild whitetails is all it takes to jeopardize Michigan's hunting heritage," Barrett said.
Barrett, state Rep. Thomas Albert, R-Lowell, and state Rep. Jim Lower, R-Cedar Lake, introduced the legislation.
Chronic wasting disease is a contagious and fatal central nervous system disease found in deer, elk and moose. It causes a spongy degeneration of the brain, resulting in emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and, ultimately, the animal's death.
From April 14, 2015 to May 31, 2016, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources tested 5,385 deer for CWD with seven CWD-positive results. As of March 13, 2018 the DNR has tested 30,706 deer total with 57 CWD-positive deer.
Suspected cases of chronic wasting disease in Michigan deer doubles
Thirty deer have been identified as CWD-positive or "CWD suspect" since 2015.
"Chronic wasting disease is known to spread easily from deer to deer," Lower said. "We must take a more proactive approach to stop its spread in Michigan and protect our healthy, sustainable deer herd."
Lower, Barrett and Albert are all hunters and wanted to work on the legislation together, Lower said.
Lower called CWD the "worst case scenario for people who deer hunt."
High rates of the disease in a deer population could significantly affect the number of deer and could decrease the potential for older deer, especially more mature bucks, according to the DNR.
In 2016, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimated hunting generates more than $2.3 billion in economic impact in Michigan, including expenses related to food and lodging and $1.3 billion spent on equipment.
"Hunters have a stake in this," Lower said. "They value the opportunity to participate in one of Michigan's most treasured traditions, and it all rides on our deer population remaining healthy. This is a smart solution that allows concerned citizens to help protect a valuable natural resource."
Chronic wasting disease confirmed in Mecosta County farmed deer
It is currently unknown how the one-year-old Mecosta County farmed deer became infected.
The Core CWD Area includes 17 townships in Ingham, Clinton, Shiawassee and Eaton counties, and the CWD Management Zone includes the remainder of Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and Shiawassee counties, as well as all of Ionia County, according to the DNR.
To date, there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in humans and there is no evidence chronic wasting disease presents any risk to humans, either through contact with an infected animal or from handling venison.
However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend infected animals not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals.