Washington, DC—Today, Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) announced that the bipartisan, bicameral Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act has received unanimous support among the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation. The Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act will support state and tribal efforts to develop and implement management strategies and support research regarding the causes of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The bill will also support methods to control the spread of the disease. As of February of 2020, CWD has been confirmed in 26 states, and there are serious concerns that the disease will continue to spread to herds across the country. Kind and Sensenbrenner introduced the bill last March.

“As someone who has spent many mornings in a deer stand, I know firsthand how vital it is that we maintain a healthy deer herd across our state. Chronic Wasting Disease has the potential to devastate our deer herds, and in-turn, hurt the outdoor economy, and outdoor traditions that so many Wisconsin communities benefit from,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “This bipartisan bill brings scientists, local officials, and hunters together to help manage and prevent the spread of this disease. I’m proud to team up with Rep. Sensenbrenner and receive full support from our fellow Wisconsinites to protect our outdoor traditions.”

“Chronic Wasting Disease is a fundamental threat to the health and vibrancy of deer populations in Wisconsin. I am pleased that the delegation is united behind our bill. We must provide adequate resources to combat this issue before it has a wide-ranging effect on our great state’s economy and recreational traditions,” said Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner.

“With scientists, local officials, and hunters working together to share research and management innovations, we can do what it takes to help slow the spread of this deadly disease. The more the science shows us, the more prepared we can be moving forward. We thank our delegation for their leadership as it proves Wisconsin is out front in addressing this complicated and important issue,” said Wisconsin DNR Secretary-designee Preston D. Cole.

According to Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources, 1,319 deer tested positive for CWD in 24 counties across Wisconsin in 2019. Nine of those 24 counties are in Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District, including Adams, Crawford, Dunn, Eau Claire, Grant, Juneau, Portage, Richland, and Vernon.

The Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act is also supported by several wildlife and sportsmen organizations, including the: Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, National Wildlife Federation, Wildlife Management Institute, Quality Deer Management Association, and National Deer Alliance.

Read H.R. 1550, the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act here.

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