Suzan Holl (301) 734-6464
Jerry Redding (202) 720-4623
USDA DELAYS IMPLEMENTATION OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE RULE
WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2006--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is delaying implementation of a final rule published July 21, that establishes regulations for a chronic wasting disease herd certification program to help eliminate the disease from farmed and captive cervids in the United States.
The final rule entitled: Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program and Interstate Movement of Farmed or Captive Deer, Elk and Moose originally had an effective date of Oct. 19. Recently, however, APHIS received petitions from several organizations representing various state agencies requesting a delay in the effective date of the CWD rule and reconsideration of several requirements. We are currently evaluating the merits of these petitions and will publish a notice in the Federal Register in the near future making the contents of the petitions available to the public for comment.
The final rule establishes a voluntary certification program for owners of deer, elk and moose herds who chose to participate and follow requirements for animal identification, testing, herd management and movement of animals into and from herds. The final rule also contains new requirements regarding the interstate movement of farmed cervids to prevent the spread of CWD.
Notice of the delay in implementation is scheduled for publication in the Sept. 8 Federal Register.
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