ST. PAUL – In an effort to battle chronic wasting that has devastated the deer population in southeastern Minnesota, State Representative Greg Davids (R-Preston) is sponsoring legislation that would develop a diagnostic test for the disease.
“Fillmore and Houston counties represent the epicenter of chronic wasting disease in this state, so this is a critical need for our district,” Davids said.
Davids said officials with the University of Minnesota told him about a new test they’re developing that could be used on live deer that could help with identification purposes.
Davids has responded by championing a bill that would appropriate roughly $1.8 million to the University to develop a diagnostic test for chronic wasting disease that uses samples from living deer.
“If we can develop this process and better determine where the problems are, it would be extremely beneficial,” Davids concluded.