Saint Paul, Minn. – Today, Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South Saint Paul) introduced HF 4447 to allow for an, optional, voluntary, state buyout of existing deer farms. This bill comes as Chronic Wasting Disease spreads in Minnesota.
Rep. Hansen, the DFL Lead on the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement:
“Chronic Wasting Disease has been a slow moving, persistent problem in Minnesota and elsewhere around our country. However, its accelerating presence in the captive and wild whitetail herd is a threat to our environment and economy. It is increasingly clear that we need to take every step we can to prevent the spread of this horrible disease. With the unknowns of this disease, preventing expansion of infected deer throughout is not only prudent, but necessary. By offering deer farmers, a voluntary option, a fair price for deer, we can reduce risk and benefit our state. Minnesotans expect us to take every action we can to stop Chronic Wasting Disease and this is one step in delivering that for them.”
-30-