For Immediate Release
Nov. 12, 2002
Contact: Rusty Cheuvront or Terry Sebastian (cell: 502-682-9405) at (502) 564-2611

Gov. Patton signs order to prevent CWD from spreading to state

FRANKFORT, Ky. - In an effort to prevent Chronic Wasting Disease from spreading to Kentucky, Governor Paul Patton today signed an executive order prohibiting the importing of all members of the animal family Cervidae -- white-tailed deer, elk, caribou, reindeer, fallow and mule deer.

“Kentucky’s wild deer and elk populations are a valuable natural resource and must be protected from the impacts of this disease,” Patton said.

Chronic Wasting Disease is a fatal wildlife disease that has recently affected deer and elk in 10 western and mid-western states and two Canadian provinces. The recent spread of CWD is primarily a result of the commercial movement of deer and elk by commercial breeding and farming operations, said state Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Tom Bennett.

Kentucky has 271,000 deer hunters and deer-related recreation activities that provide approximately $350 million of annual economic impact in Kentucky and supports thousands of Kentucky jobs.

“The state’s farmed elk and deer industry is important to a number of agricultural producers and the state’s overall economy,” Patton said. “It’s evident that there is a need to protect the wildlife resources of the Commonwealth and the associated economic impacts. This moratorium on importation will allow time for further research and for solutions to be developed.”

Besides prohibiting importation, the executive order requires:

·    The Department of Fish and Wildlife not to issue any new permits for the holding of cervids or issue any shooting preserve permits for any species other than birds;

·    Individuals currently permitted to hold cervids in Kentucky to move animals within Kentucky to either 1) a United States Department of Agriculture-licensed slaughter facility or 2) out of state;

·    After six months, the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Agriculture to meet and determine whether individuals, currently permitted to hold cervids, be allowed to move animals within Kentucky to another permitted facility that is in compliance with existing regulations;

·    Before any movement of cervids occurs, the Department of Fish and Wildlife to be contacted in writing and to accompany the movement;

·    Any shipment that is not accompanied by the Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel to be seized, destroyed and tested for CDW;

·    Any currently permitted facility to continue to comply with existing regulations as long as cervids are being held.

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