Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force
Meeting Minutes
June 2, 2003 at 2:00 PM
Michigan Historical Museum and Library – Lake Ontario Room
A regular meeting of the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Task force was held on June 2, 2003, at 2 p.m. at the Michigan Historical Museum and Library in Lansing, Michigan. Those Task Force members present were:
Dr. Howard Tanner, Chair
Dr. William Taylor, Vice Chair
Dr. Lonnie King
Dr. George Anderson
Dr. Rosina Bierbaum
Also present was Lt. Governor John Cherry, Ex-Officio Members, Staff to the Task Force, and the public.
Lieutenant Governor Cherry began the meeting by thanking Task Force members for their commitment to the State of Michigan and explaining the charge of the Task Force. He stated that the Granholm Administration wants to reinforce its commitment to protecting wildlife and hunting resources in the state; develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent spread of CWD into Michigan; recommend enforcement standards; coordinate efforts between departments; and collect information to form an important database of available and current information on CWD. He said that CWD poses a threat to Michigan’s wildlife and “must be stopped at the border.” After the discovery of CWD in Wisconsin, and spending $11.5 million combating the disease, the state still saw a decline in hunting, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars in 2002. He explained that Michigan cannot afford another catastrophic outbreak of disease in our wildlife population.
Dr. Howard Tanner explained that the Task Force plans to hold a total of four meetings in the Lansing area before the final report is submitted to the Governor and Lt. Governor in September. He said all public comments must have written submission; the Task Force is not subject to the Open Meetings Act because it is “advisory” only; and the Task Force is being assisted by two interns from Michigan State University, Jordan Pustareri and Zeb Kennedy. He also reviewed efforts thus far by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Agriculture (MDA).
Dr. Tanner said the mission of the Task Force is to bring forth the best possible advice to Governor Granholm as to how the State of Michigan can deal with the threat of CWD in white tail deer and elk. He said thus far evidence indicates CWD is not present in either the free ranging population of deer and elk or in captive herds. He also said the Task Force will deal with appropriate methods of preventing CWD’s entry into Michigan and it will deal with actions necessary if CWD is discovered within Michigan. The Task Force will bring forth advisory statements unimpeded by the wishes of special interest groups and will bring the full force of the government of Michigan to the solutions of the problems CWD could bring to this state.
Mr. Dan Wyant, Director of the MDA, briefly described the partnership between the DNR and MDA. He explained that the MDA has authority over captive cervids and the DNR has authority over wild herds.
Dr. Becky Humphries, Chief of Wildlife at the DNR, then introduced Dr. Dan O’Brien, the Pathologist at the DNR facility at Rose Lake in Bath. Dr. O’Brien gave an overview on CWD, how it affects cervids; the cause of the disease; possible ways it is transmitted; symptoms of the disease; the fact that there is no evidence that it is transmitted to humans; the activities to date regarding surveillance (numbers and locations); and results of testing.
Dr. Joan Arnoldi, MDA State Veterinarian, explained that the MDA has authority over approximately 800 cervid facilities, which includes hobby, exhibition, ranch and full registration. She said that the MDA has the authority to check records of facilities and they inspect any facility before it can be put into operation. The MDA also plans to focus on the surveillance of targeted animals (showing suspicious symptoms or dead) on privately-owned farms. Dr. Arnoldi explained other steps the MDA and DNR have taken regarding CWD: Michigan disallows the import of animals from any county bordering a CWD infected county; Michigan disallows the import of animals from any state which has had a positive test for CWD; there is a moratorium in place on all imports of deer and elk; and, Michigan has tested all animals that have been imported into Michigan from Wisconsin and Minnesota over the past three years. The MDA is also working on an accreditation program that will allow for the import of deer from “CWD free” farms (must be free for five years). Farmers that comply with this accreditation program are allowed to import/export deer.
Dr. Arnoldi said the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) is very concerned and has a plan for disease control and surveillance. They have provided financial assistance in areas where CWD has been found for putting animals down, testing and surveillance of animals.
In response to a question about environmental contamination, Dr. O’Brien responded that there are still many questions to be answered about that issue. He also said that dead carcasses are not yet a problem in Michigan but felt that very severe and absolute sanitation is needed to get rid of the prions (mutant version of normal proteins that cause the disease). Mr. Steve Chester, Director of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), stated that MDA and DEQ have been putting together a plan to evaluate mass carcass disposal and will present it in a few months.
Dr. Tanner stated that he was very pleased to see several partnerships developing among State agencies, universities and private business to study this important issue. Because of the tuberculosis issue, the State agencies have better working relationships and better lines of communications. Dr. Steve Schmitt, DNR Veterinarian, said he has good working relationships with other states affected by CWD and is on various national committees.
There was a discussion on federal funding and Dr. Arnoldi said there is indemnity money available to infected states and “high risk states” (those bordering infected states). She said Michigan is “high risk.”
Drs. Arnoldi and Humphries said there are eight areas they feel need further evaluation. They are: enforcement, surveillance, electronic identification for privately owned cervids, fencing standards, carcass movement, carcass disposal, wildlife feeding, and information and outreach. Dr. Tanner stated that the Task Force needs to review both agencies’ activities and work together to come up with revisions to those activities if needed.
In response to a question on other state’s activities, Dr. Arnoldi said border states do have surveillance measures in place but most are not as extensive as Michigan’s programs. Dr. Humphries stated that there is a meeting that will take place where states will discuss surveillance measures taken. Michigan has asked bordering states to increase their testing along the border and most have complied with this request.
Dr. Tanner stated that the Executive Order of the Governor dealt with; prevention and enforcement, detection, containment and management, and expansion of information and coordination. He said he feels Michigan will be taking a leadership role in dealing with CWD.
Scheduled meetings of the CWD Task Force are July 29th, August 19th, and September 16th. These will be public meetings and staff will announce any other public meetings added to that schedule.
Public comments by Mr. Alex Draper, President of the Michigan Deer Elk Farmers Association (MDEFA), and Mr. Bill Murphy, President of the Michigan Resource Stewards, are attached.
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