6:00: Morning News

Ag ready to move forward with deer farm regulation

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Captive cervid facilities in West Virginia are now under the regulatory authority of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s signature made the bill law and it is effective from passage. Now what?

Chris Ferro with the Department of Agriculture said the first step will be to promulgate rules which guide the operations of the industry in West Virginia.

“We think with some tweaking of the current rules, meanwhile maintaining all the safety regulations with the transport of the animals, we can have an opportunity to expand this business while maintaining the safety measures,” Ferro said in an appearance Thursday on MetroNews Talkline.

Governor Tomblin waited until the last possible moment to sign the legislation and was reportedly getting heavy pressure from both sides of the issue. Sportsmen worry about the potential for disease spread with a captive herd of whitetail deer which are native wild animals in the state.

“I think we’re going to do a lot of the same things the DNR currently does, however we won’t be as restrictive,” Ferro said. “The one thing  you have with the captive herd is there will be procedures in place if there’s any sign of an animal being sick, the herd is quarantined and movement cannot take place. You’re already inside a pen.”

Ferro suggested a sick deer would trigger rules which would force a farm’s shutdown and the possible eradication of the herd.

The slaughter of the animals will also require new rules.

“There are some folks who would prefer to do it on site. That would be permitted, but it may require one of our inspectors on site while slaughter occurs,” Ferro said. “Or if there’s someone who has a commercial slaughter house that’s USDA certified or state certified.”

The measure has been one of controversy for many years in West Virginia and around the United States.  Some states have more permissive laws on the pen raised deer and other cervids while some are far more restrictive and have outlawed the industry altogether.

“The impression or feeling the current deer farmers have is they feel squashed by how it’s currently being handled,” Ferro said. “We’ve looked at the regulations and we agree there are some things that keep them down and keep them from expanding their business.”

Ferro added those who invest in the industry need to understand they are going to be under heavy scrutiny as the new governance of the industry moved forward.

“There’s always going to be a bad apple, but there’s going to have to be self policing on the side of the deer farmers and some honesty,” said Ferro. “But it’s a relatively small group and I think they’re aware if they scuttle the law and try to go against the grain, they’re going to ruin what could be a profitable industry.”





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