The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is providing $5.7 million dollars in Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) control and prevention.

CWD is a highly contagious degenerative disease that kills the brain cells of deer species, elk and moose, ultimately resulting in death. The USDA is funding the efforts of 20 states and 8 tribes to continue or develop CWD monitoring and management plans. Three hundred thousand dollars was awarded to tribes.

Marquita Bady of the USDA, writes:

APHIS based its funding allocations on priorities that were collaboratively established with state agricultural and wildlife representatives, Tribal officials and the cervid industry.  Those priorities are:

• 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.

Read the full article here.

Learn more about spending plans for farmed,  wild, and Tribal wild cervid.