Assembly Bill 902 seeks to amend existing statutes regarding the quarantine of animals in relation to chronic wasting disease (CWD). The bill specifically prohibits the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) from quarantining animals that belong to species known not to carry or be susceptible to CWD, such as fallow deer (Dama dama), based solely on exposure to the disease. This change aims to protect certain animal species from unnecessary quarantine measures when they have been exposed to CWD but are not at risk of infection.

The bill includes amendments to sections 29.753 and the creation of new provisions in sections 95.23 and 95.55 of the statutes. Notably, it inserts language that clarifies the conditions under which the department may import and manage elk while ensuring that quarantine measures do not apply to non-susceptible species based on exposure to CWD. The proposed changes reflect a shift in policy to prevent the quarantine of animals that are not at risk, thereby promoting better management practices for wildlife and farmed animals in Wisconsin.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 29.753(intro.), 29.753, 29.753(3)