By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — In an effort to update Indiana’s cervid health rule affecting Hoosier deer and elk breeders, the Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH) will host a public hearing on April 3 to gain additional feedback on the USDA-inspired rule change.
“What we’re basically doing is updating the chronic wasting disease (CWD) herd status program in Indiana, which is kinda’ like the Mad Cow disease for deer,” said Denise Derrer, public information director for BOAH.
Major changes to Indiana’s CWD monitoring program will add two new categories for deer, elk, moose and other cervids, according to Derrer. The new categories include: a “certified” program, which is a voluntary monitoring option and “monitored,” which is required for all susceptible species and is intended for more recreational hobby herds.
“Active breeders with selling programs, moving animals around the state are going to want to be in this program,” Derrer added.
According to the BOAH, CWD is a fatal, neurological disease that affects farmed and wild deer and elk. The brain-deterioting disease has also been identified in wild and captive mule deer, white-tailed deer, North American elk and captive black-tailed deer.
The state’s leading animal health agency said CWD is not known to exist in Indiana’s wild and farm-raised populations; however, the presence of CWD in other, western states has raised concern among Indiana’s animal health community. Part of the proposed rule change amends specific herd health requirements that prevent the entry of CWD into the Hoosier state.
In June of 2007, BOAH reported nearly 334 total captive cervids herds in the state, all potentially susceptible to the deadly disease.
Other updates to the cervid health program amend requirements for brucellosis and tuberculosis testing of cervids prior to moving across state lines and deletes requirements for moving cervid semen and embryos into the state.
“Basically, this is in response to the USDA’s stricter standards for interstate movement,” said Derrer, who pointed out that even though “the USDA has not officially adopted this new rule, we’re doing this in anticipation.”
The public hearing will take place April 3 during BOAH’s quarterly meeting at 9:35 a.m. at their state headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind. Following the public hearing, the Board will read the final consideration of the rule and vote accordingly.
The BOAH office is located at 905 Beachway Dr., Ste. 50, Indianapolis, IN 46224. For more information, go online at www.in.gov/boah