The National Deer Association (NDA) is celebrating the recent passage of the Chronic Wasting Diseases Research and Management Act as part of a comprehensive year-end spending bill. Introduced by Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA) and Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), the Act will support state management efforts and feds. and research to combat chronic wasting (CWD). The NDA was proud to endorse the introduction of the legislation, joining a strong group of industry and conservation organisations.
“Passage of the CWD Research and Management Act is the result of much hard work and dedication on the part of conservationists across the country,” said Nick Pinizzotto, NDA President and CEO. “New dollars for state management and additional research on chronic wasting disease are desperately needed, as evidenced by the continued rapid spread of the disease into 2022. Time is of the essence as we continue to search for ways to control this terrible disease.”
The House version of the bill passed in December 2021, but the Senate version was retained in 2022 solely by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY). As a result, the bill’s language was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, a huge government spending bill that includes $1.7 trillion in authorizations to fund all sectors of our government and our lives.
The bill authorizes $70 million annually from FY 2022 through FY 2028 for CWD research and management, with the money split equally between research and management. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will administer the funds through cooperative agreements. The bill also includes authorization for USDA and state and tribal agencies to develop educational materials to inform the public about chronic wasting disease and directs USDA to review its herd certification program (HCP) within 18 months of to your approval.
The NDA is dedicated to ensuring the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat, and game, and outlines deer diseases as a critical focus area. Slowing the spread of chronic wasting disease is a primary concern, and the NDA has been a leading organization since the original legislation for this bill was crafted. CWD is one of the biggest threats to wildlife conservation that we have encountered in the last century. Undoubtedly, federal leadership and coordination in research and testing efforts are necessary to manage the disease, and the NDA will continue to work to maximize the annual appropriations authorized by the passage of the CWD Research and Management Act.
Join the NDA and support their mission today, or sign up for their free e-newsletter to receive the latest on deer hunting and management at DeerAssociation.com
About the National Deer Association
The National Deer Association is the leading nonprofit deer conservation group, working to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat, and game. Formed by combining the strengths of two long-standing successful organizations, the National Deer Association has a combined 40-year effort that has changed deer management to improve hunting and protect America’s most vital and admired game species. North America for future generations. Visit DeerAssociation.com or follow @deerassociation on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.