APHIS Provides More Than $12 Million in Funding to Control and Prevent Chronic Wasting Disease

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APHISpress@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is providing approximately $12 million to state and Tribal partners to further develop and implement Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management and response activities in wild and farmed cervids (e.g., deer, elk).

“Chronic Wasting Disease continues to present a risk to deer, elk, moose and other cervids,” said Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “These collaborative efforts between and state and Tribal partners help find and implement new solutions for safeguarding U.S. agriculture and natural resources.”

CWD is an infectious, degenerative disease of cervids that causes brain cells to die, ultimately leading to death. The disease has spread widely and the limited number of tools, as well as their effectiveness, impacts the ability to effectively control the disease. New tools and approaches will enable improved management of wild and farmed cervids at risk for the disease.

APHIS based its funding allocations on the following priorities, established collaboratively with state agricultural and wildlife representatives, Tribal officials and the cervid industry:

  • Improving CWD management of affected farmed herds and wild cervid populations;
  • Improving CWD management of affected areas or premises;
  • Conducting additional research on the use of certain sensitive testing technology, known as amplification assays, for CWD;
  • Conducting additional research on predictive genetics; and
  • Developing and/or delivering educational outreach materials or programs.

APHIS gave priority to State and Tribal governments that have already detected CWD or border CWD endemic areas; and have either implemented monitoring and surveillance programs or propose to do so.

For more details on the individual projects, see:

2023 Farmed Cervid Spending Plan
2023 Wild Cervid Spending Plan
2023 Tribal National Wild Cervid Spending Plan


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APHIS protects the health of U.S. agriculture and natural resources against invasive pests and diseases, regulates genetically engineered crops, administers the Animal Welfare Act, and helps people and wildlife coexist. We also certify the health of U.S. agricultural exports and resolve phytosanitary and sanitary issues to open, expand, and maintain markets for U.S plant and animal products.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.