MADISON, Wis. (JEFF SMITH PRESS RELEASE) – Friday, Senator Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) and Representative Jenna Jacobson (D-Oregon) introduced a CWD Prevention Package. The three bills within this package aim to combat, monitor, and increase awareness around chronic wasting disease (CWD).
Since 2002, when the first cases of CWD were detected in Wisconsin, over 8,300 deer have tested positive across 60 counties. In fact, the DNR is now classifying the disease as endemic to the southern part of the state. Without proactive efforts to limit the spread of CWD, Wisconsin’s sporting heritage and billion-dollar hunting industry is also threatened.
This package includes three bills: to provide funding for deer testing, disease research, carcass disposal sites and education relating to CWD. In addition to the precautions that each hunter can take individually, this legislation seeks to protect the herd that allow our state to have a safe and healthy hunting season.
“CWD has been plaguing our state’s Whitetailed-deer population for too long – we are long overdue for serious action. It’s encouraging to see some bipartisan agreement to repurpose this funding, but more work can be done,” said Senator Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick).