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NCBA, R-CALF, COOL, USDA (No Politics!)
Texas Emergency Order Issued to Restrict Movement of Deer from Breeding Facilities Where CWD has Been Detected
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<blockquote data-quote="flounder" data-source="post: 1687730" data-attributes="member: 3519"><p>TEXAS CWD TSE Prion Urgent Letter to Honorable Arch H. Aplin, III from Officials and Land Owners</p><p></p><p>''the high rate of "lost" deer, and other inadequacies and loopholes in the current rules have put our state's susceptible cervid herds at significant risk''</p><p></p><p>June 14, 2021</p><p></p><p>The Honorable Arch H. Aplin, III</p><p></p><p>Chairman, Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission</p><p></p><p>4200 Smith School Road</p><p></p><p>Austin, Texas 78744</p><p></p><p>Dear Chairman Aplin,</p><p></p><p>In light of the recent discovery of CWD in captive deer herds, the undersigned encourage the</p><p>Commission to take swift and decisive action to protect our captive and wild deer herds, even up</p><p>to an immediate partial or complete shut-down of deer movement. It is imperative that the</p><p>response be focused not only on uncovering the sources of the infections, but also in promptly</p><p>conducting all necessary trace-outs to determine the extent of disease spread.</p><p></p><p>We appreciate and value the efforts of the Commission and the Department staff to rapidly and</p><p>effectively deal with this CWD outbreak, but as you are aware, and as staff at the Texas Parks</p><p>and Wildlife Department (Department) have stated, the modeling used in establishing the current</p><p>testing requirements has proven insufficient to detect CWD at any reasonable probability and</p><p>degree of confidence. It is likely that CWD was present in the Uvalde County index facility for a</p><p>year or more prior to detection, and over a hundred deer were transported to other breeders and</p><p>release sites in the interim. Additionally, the combined effects of insufficient reporting, testing,</p><p>and other non-compliance issues with current rules, the high rate of "lost" deer, and other</p><p>inadequacies and loopholes in the current rules have put our state's susceptible cervid herds at</p><p>significant risk.</p><p></p><p>By the rights and privileges conveyed in the permitting process, deer breeders have accepted and</p><p>taken calculated risks, for which they are ultimately responsible. While the Department has</p><p>operated in good faith, it is also the Department's responsibility to take any and all necessary</p><p>actions required by their mission statement. The time has come for deer breeders and the</p><p>Department to accept the necessity that additional steps must be taken to protect this incredibly</p><p>valuable resource for the public good.</p><p></p><p>The undersigned strongly urge that the Commission promote enforcement of existing rules and</p><p>regulations, including revocation, suspension, or non-renewal of non-compliant deer breeders,</p><p>pursuant to Sunset recommendations. It is also imperative that the Commission promptly engage</p><p>all appropriate stakeholders (CWD Taskforce, White-tailed Deer Advisory Committee, and Deer</p><p>Breeder User Group) to review and bolster existing rules that have clearly proven insufficient to</p><p>identify and contain this disease. In addition, we urge the Department to work closely with</p><p>Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and other regulatory agencies in expediting the</p><p>trace-out process, strengthening the oversight of carcass disposal and transport, as well as</p><p>strengthening the rules and testing related to exotics as a highest priority.</p><p></p><p>In closing, we express our strong support for tightening any loopholes that exist in current rules</p><p>associated with CWD detection and containment. We also ask that the Department revisit all </p><p>assessments made for probability of detection and correct deficits that might currently exist. It is</p><p>imperative that our response to CWD in Texas move from a reactive to a proactive posture that</p><p>more effectively protects this precious resource.</p><p></p><p>Again, we whole-heartedly support and value the Commission and the Department staff as you</p><p>rapidly and effectively deal with this CWD outbreak, and we stand ready to assist and support</p><p>you in any manner necessary.</p><p></p><p>Respectfully,</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="flounder, post: 1687730, member: 3519"] TEXAS CWD TSE Prion Urgent Letter to Honorable Arch H. Aplin, III from Officials and Land Owners ''the high rate of “lost” deer, and other inadequacies and loopholes in the current rules have put our state’s susceptible cervid herds at significant risk'' June 14, 2021 The Honorable Arch H. Aplin, III Chairman, Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission 4200 Smith School Road Austin, Texas 78744 Dear Chairman Aplin, In light of the recent discovery of CWD in captive deer herds, the undersigned encourage the Commission to take swift and decisive action to protect our captive and wild deer herds, even up to an immediate partial or complete shut-down of deer movement. It is imperative that the response be focused not only on uncovering the sources of the infections, but also in promptly conducting all necessary trace-outs to determine the extent of disease spread. We appreciate and value the efforts of the Commission and the Department staff to rapidly and effectively deal with this CWD outbreak, but as you are aware, and as staff at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (Department) have stated, the modeling used in establishing the current testing requirements has proven insufficient to detect CWD at any reasonable probability and degree of confidence. It is likely that CWD was present in the Uvalde County index facility for a year or more prior to detection, and over a hundred deer were transported to other breeders and release sites in the interim. Additionally, the combined effects of insufficient reporting, testing, and other non-compliance issues with current rules, the high rate of “lost” deer, and other inadequacies and loopholes in the current rules have put our state’s susceptible cervid herds at significant risk. By the rights and privileges conveyed in the permitting process, deer breeders have accepted and taken calculated risks, for which they are ultimately responsible. While the Department has operated in good faith, it is also the Department’s responsibility to take any and all necessary actions required by their mission statement. The time has come for deer breeders and the Department to accept the necessity that additional steps must be taken to protect this incredibly valuable resource for the public good. The undersigned strongly urge that the Commission promote enforcement of existing rules and regulations, including revocation, suspension, or non-renewal of non-compliant deer breeders, pursuant to Sunset recommendations. It is also imperative that the Commission promptly engage all appropriate stakeholders (CWD Taskforce, White-tailed Deer Advisory Committee, and Deer Breeder User Group) to review and bolster existing rules that have clearly proven insufficient to identify and contain this disease. In addition, we urge the Department to work closely with Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and other regulatory agencies in expediting the trace-out process, strengthening the oversight of carcass disposal and transport, as well as strengthening the rules and testing related to exotics as a highest priority. In closing, we express our strong support for tightening any loopholes that exist in current rules associated with CWD detection and containment. We also ask that the Department revisit all assessments made for probability of detection and correct deficits that might currently exist. It is imperative that our response to CWD in Texas move from a reactive to a proactive posture that more effectively protects this precious resource. Again, we whole-heartedly support and value the Commission and the Department staff as you rapidly and effectively deal with this CWD outbreak, and we stand ready to assist and support you in any manner necessary. Respectfully, [/QUOTE]
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Texas Emergency Order Issued to Restrict Movement of Deer from Breeding Facilities Where CWD has Been Detected
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