Re: OT- Schumer (D-NY) urges action to quell deer disease

Chuck,

Don't overcook the venison,
I hope you like it rare.

Have a nice huge rare venison
steak for each one of us :)))

Kathleen

Chuck wrote:
> Schumer urges action to quell deer disease
>
> WASHINGTON -- A deadly deer disease could cost upstate New York's
> hunting industry millions unless the federal government steps in
> quickly, Sen. Chuck Schumer warned Wednesday.
>
> Seven deer in Oneida County recently tested positive for Chronic
> Wasting Disease, a fatal illness of the brain and nervous system that
> afflicts deer and elk.
>
> So far, there is no evidence that humans can catch the disease.
>
> But an outbreak could threaten the state's $107 million hunting
> industry by scaring away deer hunters, who bring revenue to rural
> counties by staying in local lodges and eating at restaurants.
>
> An outbreak of the disease in Wisconsin in 2002 was followed by a 12
> percent drop in hunting license applications in that state, the
senator
> said. If a similar drop occurs in New York, Schumer estimated the
> annual economic losses could be: $23 million in the Southern Tier,
$20
> million in the Rochester/Finger Lakes region, $20 million in the
Hudson
> Valley and $7 million in central New York.
>
> "In New York state, big game is big business," said Schumer, D-N.Y.
> "Hunting is more than just recreation. It's a way of life for
hundreds
> of thousands of New Yorkers."
>
> The total New York deer population is estimated at more than 1
million,
> Schumer said.
>
> About 684,000 deer hunting licenses were issued in 2003. Licensed
> hunters killed 253,000 deer in 2003 and 208,000 in 2004.
>
> Schumer is calling on federal agriculture and public health officials
> to take five steps as soon as possible to try to contain the disease.
> He also plans to co-sponsor a bipartisan bill later this year with
> Wisconsin and Wyoming senators that would require federal officials
to
> carry out the steps. They are:
>
> New York to manage the outbreak.
>
> Increase funding for research to learn more about how the disease is
> transmitted between animals and between species.
>
> Elevate the Cornell Diagnostic Laboratory in Ithaca to a premier
> nationwide testing facility for the disease. Currently, most animal
> testing is done in Ames, Iowa. But specialists who work with Chronic
> Wasting Disease believe a backup lab is necessary, Schumer said.
>
> Require testing of all deer in areas where contaminated animals have
> been found. Schumer advocates that all deer in and around Oneida
County
> that are killed by hunters or in traffic accidents be given one of
the
> so-called "rapid tests" that can give results within days.
>
> Establish a nationwide standard for control and eradication of
Chronic
> Wasting Disease. Currently, methods of controlling the disease vary
> from state to state.
>
> The plan calls to elevate the Cornell Diagnostic Laboratory in Ithaca
> to a premier nationwide testing facility for the disease. Currently,
> most animal testing is done in Ames, Iowa.

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