NAEBA Testifies to Defend Missouri Cervid Industry

September 12, 2013

Tuesday, September 10, an interim committee comprised of twelve Missouri House of Representatives members convened to discuss the origin and potential spread of Chronic Wasting Disease.  The hearing was held in the Missouri State Capitol building in Jefferson City. This was the third of four hearings, all on the same topic, that have been meeting on a monthly basis since July.   

Executive Director Travis Lowe attended to testify on behalf of the North American Elk Breeders Association.  There were over a dozen people that offered oral remarks, including Kevin Hinkebein representing the Missouri Elk Farmers Association, Shawn Schafer representing NADeFA, and three representatives from Missouri’s deer association. 

Overall the hearing went very well, with great testimony from the industry speakers, and many committee members asked positive questions. In addition to industry speakers asserting truths and facts relating to CWD, there were numerous comments illustrating that elk and deer are a vibrant agriculture industry.  In Missouri, elk have been considered domestic livestock under the Department of Agriculture since 1995.  Earlier this year, the Missouri Whitetail Deer and Hunting Ranch Association introduced legislation to also have deer regulated by the Department of Agriculture. 

The next hearing will be in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, in October. 


<< Go Back



Website Developed & Hosted by Outdoor Resources, LLC