CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Legislation to move regulatory control of the captive cervid industry from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to the West Virginia Department of Agriculture won approval in the state Senate on Friday.
Senators voted 28-5 in favor of the legislation. The only senators to oppose the bill were Sen. Jeff Mullins (R-Raleigh), Sen. Ron Miller (D-Greenbrier), Sen. John Unger (D-Berkeley), Sen. Roman Prezioso (D-Marion), and Sen. Tom Takubo (R- Kanawha).
“What we’re talking about here is simply a matter of transferring the authority to regulate an agricultural enterprise from the Division of Natural Resources to the Department of Agriculture,” said Sen. Bob Williams (D-Taylor). “We’re talking about animals which are kept behind a fence, fed, watered, provided veterinary care, selected for improved genetics. Everything that is involved in the proper husbandry of any livestock we have in the state, they just happen to be deer.”
The legislation has long been opposed by sportsman’s organizations in the state. They fear growth in the captive cervid industry would create the increased chance for disease spread to the wild deer population, particularly chronic wasting disease.
“Will we never have chronic wasting disease in a captive deer herd? I can’t say that, but we do have it in the wild herd,” said Williams on the Senate floor in supporting the bill. “There are regulations in place which will transfer requiring certain testing. I would also suggest the DNR which is currently in charge has no veterinarian on staff, the Department of Agriculture has five or six on staff and has a history of dealing with disease outbreaks effectively.”
Although research continues, there is currently no test which can detect CWD in a live animal.
Miller believed the legislation would enable the industry to flourish. Captive cervid breeders believe there is a market for venison. The facilities already engage in a lucrative business selling semen from genetically superior deer and large antler bucks to paid hunting preserves.
The legislation now heads to the House of Delegates. A similar bill won approval in both chambers in 2013, but fell victim to the clock on the final night of the regular session.