Below we Listed 5, just five of the CWD standards written by the USDA. Nadefa supports these standards, now these standards should scare the S**T out of you. Nadefa is having a meeting tomorrow, if these do scare the S**t out of you then please take a minute or two to email the Nadefa Board and its directors to express your concern.......All that we are doing in our fight here in Missouri will mean nothing if these standards go forth........ #1 The document states, “Wild cervids can move under the authority of APHIS as long as they come from a low risk herd.” If USDA is truly concerned about the public and animal health relating to CWD, then all movement should be subject to the same rules even though the wild cervids are not part of the herd certification plan. Farmed cervids that are not enrolled in herd certification programs are prohibited to move interstate. There must be parity in movement regulations. #2 The document states, all quarantines may require 5 years. This should be based on sound epidemiological evaluation of herd risk #3 5 Year Trace Backs and Trace Forwards. Pertaining to Part A-2.8 of the Version 22 Standards document draft. The document defines “Trace Forwards” under the definitions on page 8 as, “Trace Forward Herd- A herd that has received exposed animals from a CWD positive herd within 5 years before the diagnosis of CWD in the positive herd or from the identified point of entry of CWD into the positive herd.” Therefore, if someone is considered a trace forward herd within 60 months, their herd status would be suspended according to the language on page 14, If a herd is designated a CWD suspect herd, a trace back herd, or a trace forward herd, it will immediately be placed in suspended status pending an epidemiological investigation by the State animal health agency. A herd may remain in suspended status until the epidemiological investigation ends and appropriate actions are taken. #4 10 Foot Fencing. Pertaining to Appendix II of Version 22 the Standards document draft. The document states, “in at least one study (VerCauteren, et.al 2010) recommends fence height greater than 2.4 meters (at least 10 feet) to ensure 100 percent containment.” However, 8 feet is the requirement in the standards and rule. Theories of surveys suggesting anything otherwise is speculation and inappropriate to be included in the document. #5 Definition of “Commingling” to allow AI Program to Lower Your Herd Status. Pertaining to Part B-2.4 item 6, under heading of “Limited Contact” of the Version 22 Standards document draft. The document states on page 12, “Commingling includes contact with bodily fluids or excrement from other farmed animals. Farmed cervids commingled with other farmed cervids assume the status of the lowest program status animal in the group.” Semen is considered a “bodily fluid.” This could offer the possible interpretation that if “bodily fluids” enters your herd via artificial insemination it could lower your herds’ status to the level of the AI herd. This theory is justified by the document already stating the warning about germsplasm (semen) in Part A-2.6 of Version 22 Standards document draft.
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 03:33:36 +0000
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