Today, Rep. Barry Moore spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives to warn of the threat Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) poses to deer populations in Alabama. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced it recently found Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a hunter-harvested deer in northwestern Alabama. This is the first case of CWD detected in Alabama’s deer herd and the first time it has been detected in a state that borders Florida.
Moore is a co-sponsor of H.R. 5608, the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act, which passed the House of Representatives last month.
According to Congress.gov, the bill “directs USDA to establish a program to research and manage the disease. Under the program, USDA must offer to enter into agreements with state or tribal wildlife agencies and departments of agriculture, institutions of higher education, and research centers to support research on the transmission of, resistance to, and diagnosis of the disease. In addition, USDA must offer to enter into agreements with such agencies and departments to support state and tribal efforts to develop and implement management strategies that address the disease.”
Moore stated on the House floor, “Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss an important issue in Alabama and across the nation. Chronic Wasting Disease is a neurological disease that affects deer, moose, and elk and is 100 percent fatal. Unfortunately, there is no known cure. CWD could absolutely devastate deer hunting in Alabama and the revenue it brings in each year.”
“I am proud to co-sponsor H.R. 5608, the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act, which passed the House of Representatives last month. This bill will help research and prevent Chronic Wasting Disease from spreading further, protecting Alabama’s deer herds, outdoor economy, and traditions.
“Last week, the first case of Chronic Wasting Disease was reported in Alabama. While it is currently only one case, it is important that we do what we can to prevent this terrible disease from spreading even further. I’m hopeful the Senate will answer the call and take up this legislation so important to Alabama and our nation.
“I’ll do whatever I can in Washington to help prevent Chronic Wasting Disease from taking hold in Alabama. And with that, I yield back,” Moore concluded.
Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), stated, “CWD was first detected in Tennessee and Mississippi in 2018 and has been moving slowly toward Alabama. The Department has implemented multiple proactive regulations to combat the spread into Alabama. Compliance from the public on those measures helped delay the spread into the state for several years.”
