On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address chronic wasting disease afflicting deer, elk, and moose populations.

Specifically, the bill directs USDA to establish a program to research and manage the disease. Under the program, USDA must offer to enter into agreements with state or tribal wildlife agencies and departments of agriculture, institutions of higher education, and research centers to support research on the transmission of, resistance to, and diagnosis of the disease. In addition, USDA must offer to enter into agreements with such agencies and departments to support state and tribal efforts to develop and implement management strategies that address the disease.

USDA must also develop and maintain materials to inform the public on chronic wasting disease and techniques to help prevent the spread of the disease.

In addition, USDA must solicit public feedback on potential updates and improvements to standards of the chronic wasting disease herd certification program.