Post by melody on Nov 14, 2014 10:28:33 GMT -5
House Game and Fisheries Committee
11/13/14, 9:30 a.m., Room 205 Ryan Office Building
By Jeff Cox, PLS
The committee conducted an informational meeting to receive an update on chronic wasting disease from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Dr. Craig Schultz, director of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services, described chronic wasting disease (CWD) as “a progressive, fatal, degenerative neurological disease of farmed and free ranging deer, elk and moose.” He noted CWD has been known to exist in free ranging mule deer populations in the Western US for more than thirty years. Schultz explained CWD belongs to a family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) and noted other TSEs include “Mad Cow Disease” and Scrapie. Schultz stated there is no evidence that CWD can be transmitted to cattle or other domestic livestock. He described the CWD prion as a normal protein that becomes misshapen and accumulates in tissue causing damage. Schultz pointed out that the CWD prion is not like bacteria and viruses and does not have DNA. He highlighted some of the facts about CWD: there is no treatment, there is no vaccine, there is no accurate live animal test, and there is no practical means of testing soil for the presence of the prion. Schultz told the committee, “Unlike mad cow disease, no direct public health link has been established for CWD and the consumption of venison.” Schultz then reviewed the 2014 CWD Quarantine Order and the testing of deer for CWD in Pennsylvania with 21,335 tests being conducted at the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory in Harrisburg since 2002.
Schultz then offered a brief overview of the history of CWD positive tests in Pennsylvania. He said the first was in October 2012 in New Oxford, Adams County. A second positive captive herd was discovered in April of this year in Reynoldsville, Jefferson County, and a third in October in Jefferson County. Schultz also discussed the benefits of disease research and recent CWD events nationally.
Matthew Meals, deputy secretary for Animal Agriculture at the Department of Agriculture, testified that the department regulates certified breeding facilities that meet federal herd certification standards for interstate movement of CWD susceptible cervids including white-tailed deer, elk, red deer and other species. He explained that these facilities include hunting preserves and hunt ranches, cervid hobbyists and non-certified breeders for intrastate commerce only. According to Meals, the captive cervid industry in Pennsylvania employs 1, 276 full-time and 2,163 part-time workers with a direct economic effect of more than $40 million. Meals discussed the department’s effort in response to CWD including the development of a revised and expanded CWD General Order of Quarantine and Interstate/ International Order of Quarantine. He went on to provide an overview of the CWD program activities. Meals estimated that the yearly cost to the department for CWD activities is $1.7 million. He noted, “Federal regulators have made it clear that with CWD our efforts are aimed at controlling CWD and not eradicating it.”
Chairman Causer wanted to know how difficult it is to track the infected animals. Schultz responded that some of the changes that have occurred in the herd certification program based on the new federal standards have addressed a better approach to tracking. He explained that when CWD was initially considered a regulated disease by the federal government the idea was to eradicate it and it is now clear that this cannot be destroyed and lasts for years so eradication is not realistic. Schultz also pointed out “wildlife species in livestock are not necessarily amenable to the same type of regulatory approaches that we can use with domestic livestock such as cattle.” He told committee members, “It has been a learning curve in terms of how we control this disease and how we keep these animals healthy.” Schultz added, “We have come a long way with testing.” He expressed hope that “we will have a test that will give us some of the same tools we have with those diseases like cattle tuberculosis.” He noted that tracking is based on record-keeping which is delineated in the department’s 2014 General Order of Quarantine and is verified by DNA testing. Schultz observed, “DNA testing has played an important role in controlling this disease.
Chairman Causer asked if there is anything the members should be aware of in order to help the department in its fight to control the disease. Schultz responded that CWD research relative to many of the other TSEs has been limited and “we know less about CWD.” He noted that Mad Cow Disease has been “very well studied.” Schultz noted that with Mad Cow Disease mutations have been discovered that are not infectious so “you can screen for whether or not it is an infectious case or it is a non-infectious mutant.” He also noted scientists know “a great deal about susceptibility within livestock.” According to Schultz, research is going on in that regard with CWD but “it is limited and on a small scale.” He stressed the importance of getting more information on susceptibility to CWD.
Chairman Haluska wanted to know the length of time it takes from a deer to be infected and it is noticed that the deer is infected. Schultz said, “We do not have a good research base to determine this.” He explained that it appears an infection may occur quickly but also the progression of the disease to the point of being clinically evident can be a very prolonged process. He added, “It is frustrating.” Schultz told lawmakers, “I think the progression of the disease is variable based on many different factors.” He added that there is some research that certain strains of elk can resist CWD for eight to ten years so “even though they are susceptible, they are less susceptible than other genetic strains within the population.” Chairman Haluska asked if the age of the deer is a factor. Schultz responded, “There are spontaneous neurological diseases associated with general deterioration with age but don’t have a prion component.” He continued, “This disease appears to have this prion associated with it and it appears quite evidently to be transmissible."
Rep. English asked about the current state of interaction between the department and the Game Commission regarding CWD. Schultz responded, “In our opinion, we work very closely with the Game Commission and their headquarters staff along with the regional staff. We have a lot of interaction between their regional folks and our regional folks.” He added that when the response plan was created both the department and the commission were very active in the process and their roles were outlined on “who would take charge in what situations and both agencies work very well together with regard to the plan and communicate very well.” Schultz explained the department takes the lead in cases involving captive herds and the commission takes the lead in cases involving free ranging herds.
Rep. Mullery asked if any progress has been made on developing a vaccine for CWD. Schultz explained that one thing that has to be considered is CWD is not a viral or bacterial disease so “the principles do not apply all that well.” He further explained that a vaccine attempts to stimulate the immune system in a way that would prevent the deer from getting CWD. Schultz also pointed out there is a shortage of animals that have tested positive to do research on.
Rep. Maloney asked about the difference between Mad Cow Disease and CWD. Schultz explained, “There is a specific disease causing protein within the prion family but they are all specific so the Mad Cow Disease prion is not the same as the CWD prion and transmits in a different way.” He further explained that cattle got infected with Mad Cow Disease because of the use of a specific protein whereas CWD is “entirely different.” Schultz commented that CWD transmits casually, can accumulate in the soil, and can be ingested or transmitted by common contact. Rep. Maloney observed that he has been hearing that it is in the soil. He asked if the CWD occurs when the deer consumes something that was contaminated through the soil. Schultz responded, “The evidence would indicate that.” According to Schultz, the 2002 outbreak in Wisconsin was in a large herd densely populated in limited acreage. He noted soil cannot be tested. Schultz observed, “The assumption is that the soil is heavily contaminated and time has demonstrated that when you put deer back on the real estate they become infected again.”
Rep. Maloney wanted to know if it is a cycle where the soil is being contaminated and the deer consumes something in the soil that re-contaminates them. Schultz responded that it could be that or the deer has come into contact with an infected deer. Rep. Maloney asked if it can go from deer to deer. Schultz said, “Yes.” Rep. Maloney wanted to know if Pennsylvania has data from other states that would have helped Pennsylvania through this process and the questions that are out there. Schultz responded, “I think the disease has been handled by various methods in a number of states.” He added, “Certainly the experience in states like Colorado and what happened to their mule deer population and the fact white-tailed deer have a rather high susceptibility to this disease we did not want to follow in Colorado’s footsteps and the effect it had on wildlife population.” Shultz told lawmakers, “Understanding the science of this as we get more and more information the better and better at making strategic moves to control this disease.” Rep. Maloney asked if other states have made mistakes over the years on how they managed the disease. Schultz responded, “I am saying they had very high infection rates in those states and had very severe park bans and bans on their animals because of their high infection rates.” He noted that CWD has been in Colorado since 1968.Schultz pointed out, “Our approach is only control and we don’t expect to eradicate it.” Rep. Maloney wanted to know if the soil can be treated. Schultz said, “There is no disinfectant that will kill the prion.” He expressed concern that the prions remain viable in the soil for many years.
Rep. Moul commented that the department “is painting a glum picture for us today.” He asked if a CWD-infected doe has a fawn if that fawn automatically has CWD as well or if skips a generation. Schultz said, “No.” He added, “We do consider fawns who are offspring of an infected doe to be a special concern and we do monitor them closely.” Schulz observed, “There is no clear vertical transmission but there is no proof there could not be a vertical transmission.” Rep. Moul asked if a doe can be a carrier without being infected. Schultz responded, “No.” Rep. Moul then asked if the real threat is to the deer that roam freely and not to the deer located on deer farms. Shultz responded, “I would say that any infected deer are a threat and certainly our deer farm industry in order to be viable that interstate commerce be available and in order for that to occur we need a regulatory framework to demonstrate that the deer that are being entered into interstate commerce are at extremely low risk for the disease."
Rep. Gabler noted his district includes the elk herd and is adjacent to Jefferson County. He wanted to know the procedures used by the department when dealing with a deer farm that has deer that tested positive and what it means to the deer farm. Schultz conceded “there is a concern with putting deer back on real estate that has had positive deer on it.” He explained, “We have the ability under the law to quarantine a facility for five years and after five years it is a taking and as a taking, the Commonwealth would actually have to purchase and take charge of the facility.” Schultz added, “So we only quarantine for five years but we know the prion can exist on the soil for much longer so the effect on positive herds is devastating.” He told the committee members, “Pennsylvania is unique in having a large number of small family operations.” Schultz said, “There is really not a good solution for a herd that has had a significant number of positives on a limited amount of land and that land is considered positive.”
Rep. Everett wanted to know how the deer to deer transmission occurs. Schultz said it is not known whether the disease is transmitted from deer to deer or from deer to soil to deer but it can occur either way. Rep. Everett asked if there is any scientific evidence of deer to deer. Schultz said there is no specific information because it is a protein molecule and “you cannot envision it under an electron microscope.” He added the evidence would be “anecdotally based.”
Dr. Justin Brown, Wildlife Veterinarian, Pennsylvania Game Commission, explained the parts of a deer where prions accumulate. According to Brown the “inherent challenges for managing CWD” include:
• It takes infected animals a long time to show clinical signs
• Prions are excreted in urine, feces, and saliva
• Prions are extremely stable in the environment and remain infective for years
• There are no live animal tests
He explained that the two main mechanisms for how CWD is spread are natural deer and elk movements and human assisted movements such as transporting captive deer or elk or high risk parts. Brown provided a series of slides on the dramatic expansion of CWD cases in Wisconsin over a twelve-year period. He cautioned, “CWD is spreading in Pennsylvania both through natural deer movements and human assistance.” Brown explained the commission established three CWD Disease Management Areas (DMA) with DMA 1 in the Adams/York Counties area, DMA 2 in the Bedford/Blair Counties area, and DMA 3 in Jefferson County. He further explained that the CWD management strategies include efforts to prevent new introductions of CWD into the Commonwealth and limit the spread of existing areas. Brown pointed out no CWD positive wild deer have been detected in DMA 1 or DMA 3 but seven positive wild deer have been found in DMA 2. He cautioned lawmakers, “None of the existing CWD management strategies guarantee success.”
Rep. Maloney asked if there is continued evidence that the disease is expanding and if so, where the evidence is. Brown responded that an infected deer was found in the eastern part of DMA 2 that was far enough away from the original eastern boundary of the district that the commission modified the shape of DMA 2. Rep. Maloney asked if only seven wild deer have tested positive. Brown responded, “Yes” but noted that all seven were located in DMA 2. Rep. Maloney described the number of deer that have tested positive as “a tremendously small percentage.” Brown noted that in other states it started with less than one percent then went to less than two percent then “slowly creeps up over time.” Rep. Maloney pointed out that all of the testimony started with the statistic on the economic impacts deer hunting in Pennsylvania and yet no one knows where the disease came from, how it spreads and, nor know how to treat it. He said a lot of effort and money is spent on research with no answers. He commented, “We are going to increase the killing of the deer and that is the answer.” Rep. Maloney asked, “Is that what I hear?” Brown responded, “That is now what I said, actually, what we would base that on, the increased antlerless harvest, was the best research we could find.” He continued, “The importance of that would be a comparison between Illinois and Wisconsin.” According to Brown, both states developed CWD in the same timeframe in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. He said Wisconsin took a “more laid back approach” and Illinois “hit it hard” with population reduction with increased harvesting and kept their prevalence at a low level. Rep. Maloney asked if the only way to control CWD is to kill the deer. Brown explained, “It is not the only way to control it. That is one management strategy.” Rep. Maloney asked what other method could have been used to control it. Brown explained it is being used because of what is happening in other states and what has worked. He noted both Minnesota and New York eradicated the disease through “an aggressive culling operation and population reduction.” Brown commented, “It is not the greatest data but it is the best we have.”
Chairman Haluska asked if things in the west have gotten progressively worse. Brown responded, “One of the problems with CWD and the reason it is so frustrating is that there are no answers.” He noted that in certain parts of Colorado with exceptionally high prevalence of CWD they are beginning to see declines in some of the populations.
Rep. English asked about the commission’s interaction with the department. Brown responded, “It has been good.” Rep. English wanted to know if the increase in antlerless deer licenses is in effect for this season. Brown responded, “Yes”. Rep English asked how many harvested deer were inspected in DMA 2. Brown explained, “The way we set up the surveillance is that we test statewide on harvested deer base on number of deer so we have a subset of deer that are tested in that DMA.” He added that approximately 400 to 500 deer were tested in DMA 2 last year. Brown pointed out the commission has increased its focus on testing “road-killed” deer. Rep. English wanted to know if there is timeline for taking tissue from a dead animal. Brown said yes.
Rep Moul asked if the commission knew where the captive deer in Adams and Jefferson counties that tested positive came from. Schultz explained that in Jefferson County the farm had excellent records which made it easier to track the deer, but that was not the case in Adams County. Rep. Moul asked if it would be prudent to ban the use of doe urine-based attractions because of the risk of the doe being infected and the urine contaminating the soil. Brown responded, “That would be a decision made above me.” He told Rep. Moul, “You highlighted a significant risk. The fact of the matter is we have no way to diagnostically test that urine sample.” Rep. Moul asked if hunters have been apprehensive about harvesting deer in DMA 2. Chris Rosenberry, Section Supervisor with the Game Commission responded, “No.” Rep. Moul asked if the Commission cooperates with Maryland. Brown said Pennsylvania does communicate with Maryland.
Greg Raffensperger, executive director of the committee, wanted to know if any of the quarantined farms provide urine-based samples for the attraction companies. Schultz said in Adams County there was one herd that was quarantined and had been producing urine-based scent and under the quarantine all of those activities stopped. Raffensperger asked if DMA 2 was the only one with wild deer that tested positive. Brown said yes.
Rep. Gabler expressed concern about the elk herd. Brown explained that if a deer test positive closer to the boundary of the elk heard the DMA would be expanded. Rep. Gabler asked about the cost of conducting the tests. Schultz said the department charges other agencies $25 which he described as “pretty much breaking even.”
The Quality Deer Management Association submitted written testimony.
11/13/14, 9:30 a.m., Room 205 Ryan Office Building
By Jeff Cox, PLS
The committee conducted an informational meeting to receive an update on chronic wasting disease from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Dr. Craig Schultz, director of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services, described chronic wasting disease (CWD) as “a progressive, fatal, degenerative neurological disease of farmed and free ranging deer, elk and moose.” He noted CWD has been known to exist in free ranging mule deer populations in the Western US for more than thirty years. Schultz explained CWD belongs to a family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) and noted other TSEs include “Mad Cow Disease” and Scrapie. Schultz stated there is no evidence that CWD can be transmitted to cattle or other domestic livestock. He described the CWD prion as a normal protein that becomes misshapen and accumulates in tissue causing damage. Schultz pointed out that the CWD prion is not like bacteria and viruses and does not have DNA. He highlighted some of the facts about CWD: there is no treatment, there is no vaccine, there is no accurate live animal test, and there is no practical means of testing soil for the presence of the prion. Schultz told the committee, “Unlike mad cow disease, no direct public health link has been established for CWD and the consumption of venison.” Schultz then reviewed the 2014 CWD Quarantine Order and the testing of deer for CWD in Pennsylvania with 21,335 tests being conducted at the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory in Harrisburg since 2002.
Schultz then offered a brief overview of the history of CWD positive tests in Pennsylvania. He said the first was in October 2012 in New Oxford, Adams County. A second positive captive herd was discovered in April of this year in Reynoldsville, Jefferson County, and a third in October in Jefferson County. Schultz also discussed the benefits of disease research and recent CWD events nationally.
Matthew Meals, deputy secretary for Animal Agriculture at the Department of Agriculture, testified that the department regulates certified breeding facilities that meet federal herd certification standards for interstate movement of CWD susceptible cervids including white-tailed deer, elk, red deer and other species. He explained that these facilities include hunting preserves and hunt ranches, cervid hobbyists and non-certified breeders for intrastate commerce only. According to Meals, the captive cervid industry in Pennsylvania employs 1, 276 full-time and 2,163 part-time workers with a direct economic effect of more than $40 million. Meals discussed the department’s effort in response to CWD including the development of a revised and expanded CWD General Order of Quarantine and Interstate/ International Order of Quarantine. He went on to provide an overview of the CWD program activities. Meals estimated that the yearly cost to the department for CWD activities is $1.7 million. He noted, “Federal regulators have made it clear that with CWD our efforts are aimed at controlling CWD and not eradicating it.”
Chairman Causer wanted to know how difficult it is to track the infected animals. Schultz responded that some of the changes that have occurred in the herd certification program based on the new federal standards have addressed a better approach to tracking. He explained that when CWD was initially considered a regulated disease by the federal government the idea was to eradicate it and it is now clear that this cannot be destroyed and lasts for years so eradication is not realistic. Schultz also pointed out “wildlife species in livestock are not necessarily amenable to the same type of regulatory approaches that we can use with domestic livestock such as cattle.” He told committee members, “It has been a learning curve in terms of how we control this disease and how we keep these animals healthy.” Schultz added, “We have come a long way with testing.” He expressed hope that “we will have a test that will give us some of the same tools we have with those diseases like cattle tuberculosis.” He noted that tracking is based on record-keeping which is delineated in the department’s 2014 General Order of Quarantine and is verified by DNA testing. Schultz observed, “DNA testing has played an important role in controlling this disease.
Chairman Causer asked if there is anything the members should be aware of in order to help the department in its fight to control the disease. Schultz responded that CWD research relative to many of the other TSEs has been limited and “we know less about CWD.” He noted that Mad Cow Disease has been “very well studied.” Schultz noted that with Mad Cow Disease mutations have been discovered that are not infectious so “you can screen for whether or not it is an infectious case or it is a non-infectious mutant.” He also noted scientists know “a great deal about susceptibility within livestock.” According to Schultz, research is going on in that regard with CWD but “it is limited and on a small scale.” He stressed the importance of getting more information on susceptibility to CWD.
Chairman Haluska wanted to know the length of time it takes from a deer to be infected and it is noticed that the deer is infected. Schultz said, “We do not have a good research base to determine this.” He explained that it appears an infection may occur quickly but also the progression of the disease to the point of being clinically evident can be a very prolonged process. He added, “It is frustrating.” Schultz told lawmakers, “I think the progression of the disease is variable based on many different factors.” He added that there is some research that certain strains of elk can resist CWD for eight to ten years so “even though they are susceptible, they are less susceptible than other genetic strains within the population.” Chairman Haluska asked if the age of the deer is a factor. Schultz responded, “There are spontaneous neurological diseases associated with general deterioration with age but don’t have a prion component.” He continued, “This disease appears to have this prion associated with it and it appears quite evidently to be transmissible."
Rep. English asked about the current state of interaction between the department and the Game Commission regarding CWD. Schultz responded, “In our opinion, we work very closely with the Game Commission and their headquarters staff along with the regional staff. We have a lot of interaction between their regional folks and our regional folks.” He added that when the response plan was created both the department and the commission were very active in the process and their roles were outlined on “who would take charge in what situations and both agencies work very well together with regard to the plan and communicate very well.” Schultz explained the department takes the lead in cases involving captive herds and the commission takes the lead in cases involving free ranging herds.
Rep. Mullery asked if any progress has been made on developing a vaccine for CWD. Schultz explained that one thing that has to be considered is CWD is not a viral or bacterial disease so “the principles do not apply all that well.” He further explained that a vaccine attempts to stimulate the immune system in a way that would prevent the deer from getting CWD. Schultz also pointed out there is a shortage of animals that have tested positive to do research on.
Rep. Maloney asked about the difference between Mad Cow Disease and CWD. Schultz explained, “There is a specific disease causing protein within the prion family but they are all specific so the Mad Cow Disease prion is not the same as the CWD prion and transmits in a different way.” He further explained that cattle got infected with Mad Cow Disease because of the use of a specific protein whereas CWD is “entirely different.” Schultz commented that CWD transmits casually, can accumulate in the soil, and can be ingested or transmitted by common contact. Rep. Maloney observed that he has been hearing that it is in the soil. He asked if the CWD occurs when the deer consumes something that was contaminated through the soil. Schultz responded, “The evidence would indicate that.” According to Schultz, the 2002 outbreak in Wisconsin was in a large herd densely populated in limited acreage. He noted soil cannot be tested. Schultz observed, “The assumption is that the soil is heavily contaminated and time has demonstrated that when you put deer back on the real estate they become infected again.”
Rep. Maloney wanted to know if it is a cycle where the soil is being contaminated and the deer consumes something in the soil that re-contaminates them. Schultz responded that it could be that or the deer has come into contact with an infected deer. Rep. Maloney asked if it can go from deer to deer. Schultz said, “Yes.” Rep. Maloney wanted to know if Pennsylvania has data from other states that would have helped Pennsylvania through this process and the questions that are out there. Schultz responded, “I think the disease has been handled by various methods in a number of states.” He added, “Certainly the experience in states like Colorado and what happened to their mule deer population and the fact white-tailed deer have a rather high susceptibility to this disease we did not want to follow in Colorado’s footsteps and the effect it had on wildlife population.” Shultz told lawmakers, “Understanding the science of this as we get more and more information the better and better at making strategic moves to control this disease.” Rep. Maloney asked if other states have made mistakes over the years on how they managed the disease. Schultz responded, “I am saying they had very high infection rates in those states and had very severe park bans and bans on their animals because of their high infection rates.” He noted that CWD has been in Colorado since 1968.Schultz pointed out, “Our approach is only control and we don’t expect to eradicate it.” Rep. Maloney wanted to know if the soil can be treated. Schultz said, “There is no disinfectant that will kill the prion.” He expressed concern that the prions remain viable in the soil for many years.
Rep. Moul commented that the department “is painting a glum picture for us today.” He asked if a CWD-infected doe has a fawn if that fawn automatically has CWD as well or if skips a generation. Schultz said, “No.” He added, “We do consider fawns who are offspring of an infected doe to be a special concern and we do monitor them closely.” Schulz observed, “There is no clear vertical transmission but there is no proof there could not be a vertical transmission.” Rep. Moul asked if a doe can be a carrier without being infected. Schultz responded, “No.” Rep. Moul then asked if the real threat is to the deer that roam freely and not to the deer located on deer farms. Shultz responded, “I would say that any infected deer are a threat and certainly our deer farm industry in order to be viable that interstate commerce be available and in order for that to occur we need a regulatory framework to demonstrate that the deer that are being entered into interstate commerce are at extremely low risk for the disease."
Rep. Gabler noted his district includes the elk herd and is adjacent to Jefferson County. He wanted to know the procedures used by the department when dealing with a deer farm that has deer that tested positive and what it means to the deer farm. Schultz conceded “there is a concern with putting deer back on real estate that has had positive deer on it.” He explained, “We have the ability under the law to quarantine a facility for five years and after five years it is a taking and as a taking, the Commonwealth would actually have to purchase and take charge of the facility.” Schultz added, “So we only quarantine for five years but we know the prion can exist on the soil for much longer so the effect on positive herds is devastating.” He told the committee members, “Pennsylvania is unique in having a large number of small family operations.” Schultz said, “There is really not a good solution for a herd that has had a significant number of positives on a limited amount of land and that land is considered positive.”
Rep. Everett wanted to know how the deer to deer transmission occurs. Schultz said it is not known whether the disease is transmitted from deer to deer or from deer to soil to deer but it can occur either way. Rep. Everett asked if there is any scientific evidence of deer to deer. Schultz said there is no specific information because it is a protein molecule and “you cannot envision it under an electron microscope.” He added the evidence would be “anecdotally based.”
Dr. Justin Brown, Wildlife Veterinarian, Pennsylvania Game Commission, explained the parts of a deer where prions accumulate. According to Brown the “inherent challenges for managing CWD” include:
• It takes infected animals a long time to show clinical signs
• Prions are excreted in urine, feces, and saliva
• Prions are extremely stable in the environment and remain infective for years
• There are no live animal tests
He explained that the two main mechanisms for how CWD is spread are natural deer and elk movements and human assisted movements such as transporting captive deer or elk or high risk parts. Brown provided a series of slides on the dramatic expansion of CWD cases in Wisconsin over a twelve-year period. He cautioned, “CWD is spreading in Pennsylvania both through natural deer movements and human assistance.” Brown explained the commission established three CWD Disease Management Areas (DMA) with DMA 1 in the Adams/York Counties area, DMA 2 in the Bedford/Blair Counties area, and DMA 3 in Jefferson County. He further explained that the CWD management strategies include efforts to prevent new introductions of CWD into the Commonwealth and limit the spread of existing areas. Brown pointed out no CWD positive wild deer have been detected in DMA 1 or DMA 3 but seven positive wild deer have been found in DMA 2. He cautioned lawmakers, “None of the existing CWD management strategies guarantee success.”
Rep. Maloney asked if there is continued evidence that the disease is expanding and if so, where the evidence is. Brown responded that an infected deer was found in the eastern part of DMA 2 that was far enough away from the original eastern boundary of the district that the commission modified the shape of DMA 2. Rep. Maloney asked if only seven wild deer have tested positive. Brown responded, “Yes” but noted that all seven were located in DMA 2. Rep. Maloney described the number of deer that have tested positive as “a tremendously small percentage.” Brown noted that in other states it started with less than one percent then went to less than two percent then “slowly creeps up over time.” Rep. Maloney pointed out that all of the testimony started with the statistic on the economic impacts deer hunting in Pennsylvania and yet no one knows where the disease came from, how it spreads and, nor know how to treat it. He said a lot of effort and money is spent on research with no answers. He commented, “We are going to increase the killing of the deer and that is the answer.” Rep. Maloney asked, “Is that what I hear?” Brown responded, “That is now what I said, actually, what we would base that on, the increased antlerless harvest, was the best research we could find.” He continued, “The importance of that would be a comparison between Illinois and Wisconsin.” According to Brown, both states developed CWD in the same timeframe in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. He said Wisconsin took a “more laid back approach” and Illinois “hit it hard” with population reduction with increased harvesting and kept their prevalence at a low level. Rep. Maloney asked if the only way to control CWD is to kill the deer. Brown explained, “It is not the only way to control it. That is one management strategy.” Rep. Maloney asked what other method could have been used to control it. Brown explained it is being used because of what is happening in other states and what has worked. He noted both Minnesota and New York eradicated the disease through “an aggressive culling operation and population reduction.” Brown commented, “It is not the greatest data but it is the best we have.”
Chairman Haluska asked if things in the west have gotten progressively worse. Brown responded, “One of the problems with CWD and the reason it is so frustrating is that there are no answers.” He noted that in certain parts of Colorado with exceptionally high prevalence of CWD they are beginning to see declines in some of the populations.
Rep. English asked about the commission’s interaction with the department. Brown responded, “It has been good.” Rep. English wanted to know if the increase in antlerless deer licenses is in effect for this season. Brown responded, “Yes”. Rep English asked how many harvested deer were inspected in DMA 2. Brown explained, “The way we set up the surveillance is that we test statewide on harvested deer base on number of deer so we have a subset of deer that are tested in that DMA.” He added that approximately 400 to 500 deer were tested in DMA 2 last year. Brown pointed out the commission has increased its focus on testing “road-killed” deer. Rep. English wanted to know if there is timeline for taking tissue from a dead animal. Brown said yes.
Rep Moul asked if the commission knew where the captive deer in Adams and Jefferson counties that tested positive came from. Schultz explained that in Jefferson County the farm had excellent records which made it easier to track the deer, but that was not the case in Adams County. Rep. Moul asked if it would be prudent to ban the use of doe urine-based attractions because of the risk of the doe being infected and the urine contaminating the soil. Brown responded, “That would be a decision made above me.” He told Rep. Moul, “You highlighted a significant risk. The fact of the matter is we have no way to diagnostically test that urine sample.” Rep. Moul asked if hunters have been apprehensive about harvesting deer in DMA 2. Chris Rosenberry, Section Supervisor with the Game Commission responded, “No.” Rep. Moul asked if the Commission cooperates with Maryland. Brown said Pennsylvania does communicate with Maryland.
Greg Raffensperger, executive director of the committee, wanted to know if any of the quarantined farms provide urine-based samples for the attraction companies. Schultz said in Adams County there was one herd that was quarantined and had been producing urine-based scent and under the quarantine all of those activities stopped. Raffensperger asked if DMA 2 was the only one with wild deer that tested positive. Brown said yes.
Rep. Gabler expressed concern about the elk herd. Brown explained that if a deer test positive closer to the boundary of the elk heard the DMA would be expanded. Rep. Gabler asked about the cost of conducting the tests. Schultz said the department charges other agencies $25 which he described as “pretty much breaking even.”
The Quality Deer Management Association submitted written testimony.