ACTION ALERT!

 The State of Montana is Proposing to Close its Borders for the Importation of Farmed Elk!

The ACA is requesting all cervid farmers comment in opposition by July 5 at 5:00 PM Mountain Time!

The North American Elk Breeders Association (NAEBA) opposes the Montana Department of Livestock’s proposed regulatory change to ban the importation of farmed elk and deer. A public comment period is in place until July 5 at 5:00 PM Mountain Time.

The American Cervid Alliance requests all cervid farmers submit a public comment to the department by writing, in their own words, why this change should not happen.

Montana is a state that has found Chronic Wasting Disease in its free-ranging deer as recently as this month, but Chronic Wasting Disease has not been found in the state’s farmed elk herds since 1999.

In short, NAEBA opposes the rule because of the following reasons:
  • Cervid herds certified in the USDA APHIS Chronic Wasting Disease Monitoring Program are considered “low-risk” and sufficiently find the disease where it exists.
  • Montana’s Chronic Wasting Disease is in its own wild deer herds, not its farmed elk herds, so this is a solution to clean up a problem that does not exist.
  • Not allowing the state’s elk ranches to engage in commerce is a step to end their business practice.
  • Montana does not close its border to other livestock species due to concern of disease.

Please submit your comment in your own words.

PLEASE COMMENT BY July 5 at 5:00 PM!

You may submit comments by e-mailingMDOLcomments@mt.gov.