FAIRFAX, VA - (July 14, 2016) — The National Deer Alliance (NDA) recently hosted a special working group in St. Louis to review the USDA Voluntary National Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Herd Certification Program and associated Program Standards, which are currently under review. The charge of this working group, which is made up of conservation organizations, state wildlife experts, and top scientists, is to serve as the voice of deer hunters and others concerned with wild deer health.
The meeting kicked off a process to coalesce the thoughts, concerns and suggested revisions to the Program and Standards, set forth by the USDA. The goal is to unite the conservation community to maximize the odds for positive change during this review period.
"The science is clear that CWD is a very real threat and continued reports indicate the disease continues to spread across the landscape," said Nick Pinizzotto, CEO of National Deer Alliance. "Our group's charge is to make certain USDA understands the concerns of hunters and the conservation community as we seek to advance the methods and safeguards we feel are in the best interest of wild deer."
CWD is a progressive, transmissible, degenerative neurological disease occurring in deer. It is characterized by loss of body condition, behavioral abnormalities, and is always fatal. CWD is classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE), and is similar to mad cow disease and scrapie in sheep. It is spread through deer-to-deer contact, or contact with saliva, urine, feces, blood, and body parts of infected deer or infectious materials in soil.
Membership to NDA is free, sign up at http://nationaldeeralliance.com
About National Deer Alliance: About National Deer Alliance (NDA): The NDA is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization with a mission to serve as the guardian for wild deer conservation and our hunting heritage. Focusing primarily on issues at the policy level, NDA is a leader in advocating for sustainable, science-based conservation of wild deer and fair-chase hunting, and is a source for credible, responsible, and timely information. Founding members include: Archery Trade Association, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Mule Deer Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Quality Deer Management Association, Vista Outdoor, and Whitetails Unlimited.
Media Contacts:
Nick Pinizzotto, National Deer Alliance, P: 614.259.3566; nick@nationaldeeralliance.com
Michelle Scheuermann, BulletProof Communications, LLC, P: 651.964.0264; michelle@bulletproofcomm.com
