The United States House of Representatives has passed the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act in support of solutions to what is commonly considered the greatest threat to populations of elk, moose, whitetails and mule deer.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which was first observed in wild deer in 1981, is a contagious neurological disease, specific to deer, that features a 100-percent mortality rate.
The bill, sponsored by representatives Ron Kind (D-WI) and Glenn Thompson (R-PA), would authorize $70 million annually over seven years (fiscal 2022 through 2028), with monies split evenly between CWD research and management. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) would administer the funds through cooperative agreements.
Before becoming law, the bill must receive Senate and Presidential approvals.
