USDA Seeks Comments on Chronic Wasting Disease Data
Published Date: 7/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Agriculture wants your thoughts on a plan to collect info about chronic wasting disease in deer, elk, and moose. This helps protect animal health and keeps U.S. animal products competitive worldwide. If you’re involved with these animals, you can comment by August 17, 2026—no extra costs, just your input to make the process smoother!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Recordkeeping and Testing Burden for Herd Owners
If you own a farmed or captive elk, deer, or moose herd and choose to join the CWD Herd Certification Program, you must follow program rules for animal identification, testing, herd management, and movement. The agency expects 1,588 respondents and a total of 162,510 burden hours for these collections (responses occur on occasion).
Voluntary Program Aimed at Protecting Markets
APHIS created a voluntary Federal-State-private sector CWD Herd Certification Program to identify infected farmed or captive herds and manage them to reduce CWD spread. The program is intended to help protect animal health and U.S. producers' ability to compete in exporting animals and animal products.
Interstate Movement Restrictions for Cervids
APHIS established requirements for the interstate movement of elk, deer, and moose to prevent moving animals that pose a risk of spreading chronic wasting disease. If you move cervids across state lines, you will need to meet those movement requirements to avoid spreading CWD.
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