AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) reminds Texans of statewide chronic wasting disease (CWD) susceptible species requirements for hunter harvested exotic susceptible species.
Exotic susceptible species include North American elk or wapiti, black tailed deer, red deer, reindeer, caribou, sika deer, moose, muntjac deer, and/or any associated subspecies and hybrids.
TAHC requirements for Chronic Wasting Disease susceptible species are in place to help protect Texas cervids from the disease. It is important to maintain current knowledge on TAHC regulations for surveillance, movement reporting, identification, and record keeping for harvested, captured, or bred exotic susceptible species.
Hunters Harvesting Exotic Chronic Wasting Disease Susceptible Species
Prior to harvesting, hunters should be aware of CWD Containment and Surveillance Zone locations in Texas. Within these zones, all exotic CWD susceptible species, 12 months of age or older, that are hunter harvested shall be tested for CWD. In addition, no part of a CWD susceptible species carcass may be removed from the property unless all additional carcass movement requirements are met. Before movement, carcasses must be properly processed or accompanied by a TPWD issued check-station receipt. Please see the TAHC Rule 40.6(e) for complete details.
Properties where Exotic Chronic Wasting Disease Susceptible Species are Hunter Harvested
Landowners must have all eligible mortalities CWD tested within seven days using an official CWD test. An eligible mortality is a death from any cause of an exotic CWD susceptible species that is 12 months of age or older. This includes hunter harvesting, herd culling, natural mortalities on the premises, and animals moved directly to slaughter. The owner of the premises shall ensure that the CWD samples are properly collected and submitted for testing. The owner must report to the TAHC within 14 days of receiving the valid test results by writing to the Texas Animal Health Commission, CWD Susceptible Species Reporting, P.O. Box 12966, Austin, Texas 78711-2966; by fax to (512) 719-0729; or by email to CWD_reports@tahc.texas.gov.
Additionally, landowners are required to keep mortality records of all exotic CWD susceptible species, 12 months of age or older, and submit the records to the TAHC on or before April 1 of each year.
Owners Moving or Transporting Live Exotic CWD Susceptible Species
The movement of live exotic CWD susceptible species between premises, requires both owners to obtain a Premises Identification Number (PIN) or Location Identification Number (LID) from the TAHC or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). All live exotic CWD susceptible species moved or transported within the state must have official identification (ID). For more information on PINs, LIDs, and official ID, contact the TAHC Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) Department at 512-719-0733.
An owner of a premises where exotic CWD susceptible species are located within a high fence shall keep herd records that include an annual inventory and mortality records for all exotic CWD susceptible species. The inventory shall be reconciled and submitted to TAHC on or before April 1 of each year. Annual inventory records shall be retained for five years following submission.
A complete movement record for all live exotic Chronic Wasting Disease susceptible species moved on or off a premises shall be submitted to the TAHC. The person moving the exotic CWD susceptible species must have documentation with the exotic CWD susceptible species being moved. This record shall be submitted within 48 hours of the movement and be directed to the TAHC by writing the Texas Animal Health Commission, CWD Susceptible Species Reporting, P.O. Box 12966, Austin, Texas 78711-2966; by fax to (512)-719-0729; or by email to CWD_reports@tahc.texas.gov.
Dealer Record Keeping Requirements for Exotic CWD Susceptible Species
A dealer shall maintain records for all exotic CWD susceptible species transported within the state or where there is a transfer of ownership and provide these to a TAHC representative upon request. Records required to be kept under §40.5(h)(1-7) shall be maintained for not less than five years.
For more information on CWD, CWD zones, and requirements:
- CWD Zones: https://tpwd.texas.gov/
huntwild/wild/diseases/cwd/ maps/cwd-zones-check-stations. phtml - TAHC Exotic CWD Susceptible Species Page: https://www.tahc.texas.
gov/animal_health/elk-deer/# cwdexotic - TPWD CWD Page: https://tpwd.texas.gov/
huntwild/wild/diseases/cwd/ - Official movement requirements are always available in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 4, Part 2. Official TAHC exotic CWD susceptible species movement requirements: https://texreg.
sos.state.tx.us/public/ readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app= 9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=4&pt=2& ch=40&rl=5 - Unofficial summary of TAHC exotic Chronic Wasting Disease susceptible species requirements: https://www.
tahc.texas.gov/regs/pdf/ MovementRequirements_Exotics- Ratites.pdf
The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) was established in 1893 as the Livestock Sanitary Commission and charged with protecting the state’s domestic animals “from all contagious or infectious diseases of a malignant character.” TAHC remains true to this charge while evolving with the times to protect the health and marketability of all Texas livestock and poultry. Learn more about the TAHC visit www.tahc.texas.gov.
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