Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON JOINT AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Date:03/08/2006
ATTENDANCE
Time:07:44 AM to 08:45 AM
Brophy
Entz
Place:HCR 0112
Gallegos
Gardner
This Meeting was called to order by
Groff
Senator Isgar
Grossman
Harvey
This Report was prepared by
Hodge
David Beaujon
Hoppe
McFadyen
McKinley
Rose
Solano
Taylor
Tochtrop
White
Curry
Isgar
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Chronic Wasting DiseaseBriefing

07:45 AM -- Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer and Elk

Dr. Mike Miller, Division of Wildlife, described surveillance programs to monitor the spread of the chronic wasting disease (CWD) that affects deer, elk, and moose. He explained that the disease is fatal, although animals may not show signs of being infected until nearer death. CWD is spreading in the state and currently most prevalent in northeastern Colorado. Recently, infected wild deer and elk have been found west of the continental divide, primarily in northwestern Colorado and the Grand Mesa area. Recently, the DOW determined that a moose was infected by the disease. Dr. Miller also described studies to determine if the spread of the disease can be controlled by culling an infected herd. Studies indicated the prions -- abnormally shaped proteins - cause CWD. Dr. Miller also explained that new research has found CWD prions in muscle tissue which is the part of the animal that is typically consumed by humans.

08:07 AM -- Testing Programs for CWD

Dr. Barb Powers, Colorado State University Diagnostic Laboratories, described CWD testing performed by the laboratory for the DOW, the Department of Agriculture, and other government and private entities from Colorado and other states. She also described testing methods including efforts to develop a live animal test for CWD. Currently, the standard testing method occurs on the brains of dead animals. Dr. Powers explained that disposing of animals tested for CWD is a major challenge for her laboratory due, in part, to public concerns about spreading the disease. The primary method of disposal is through chemical digesting.


08:17 AM

Dr. Ed Hoover, Colorado State University, described research concerning the transmission of CWD. He explained that this information will help with the development of CWD control programs. The research will also help determine if other animals are susceptible to CWD or are disease reservoirs that are capable of spreading the disease without being adversely affected.

08:33 AM -- Public Health Studies Concerning CWD

Dr. Ned Colonge, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), described prion diseases that infect humans including bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). He also described research conducted by the department to determine if CWD is infecting humans. He explained that there is currently no evidence that CWD has infected a human.

08:39 AM

Dr. John Pappe, CDPHE, described programs to determine if Creutzfeld Jacob Disease, the human variant of mad cow disease, is found at higher rates in areas of Colorado that have higher CWD incidence in deer and elk. If so, this may indicate that CWD is infecting humans. However, to date, the research has not indicated a higher incidence of the disease in this area.

08:45 AM

The meeting adjourned. Another meeting concerning CWD issues and alternative livestock is tentatively scheduled for March 22 at 7:30 AM in HCR 0112. Alternative livestock are captive deer and elk raised for human consumption and other purposes. Participants may include the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the Division of Wildlife, and the Elk Breeders Association.