Press Release: Deer and Elk Importation Suspended

For Immediate Release

AUGUSTA – Commissioners Robert Spear, Department of Agriculture, and Lee Perry, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, announced today that an embargo has been placed on deer and elk. The importation of live animals has been banned for six months.

“We had to do this after chronic wasting disease was found in domestic and wild herds in western states and provinces,” Commissioner Spear said. “We took this step after our biologists consulted with deer farmers locally and nationally as well as with officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.” Maine joins the rest of New England and New York in adopting this regional approach.

“This disease has not been detected in wild or domestic deer or elk in Maine,” Commissioner Perry said. “We intend to do everything we can to keep Maine CWD free.”

Chronic wasting disease is an infectious disease that occurs naturally in North American deer and Rocky Mountain elk. It is a progressive disease fatal to deer and elk with no known treatment or vaccine. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that Chronic Wasting Disease can affect humans.

“Over the next few months, we will examine current requirements on importing deer and elk, expand our surveillance efforts, and enhance the management practices for domestic herds,” Commissioner Spear said.

For more information consult www.maine.gov/agriculture or www.aphis.usda.gov, or call the Department of Agriculture, 287-7619, or Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 287-6008.

Animal Health & Industry

Press Release: Deer and Elk Importation Suspended

For Immediate Release