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Committee approves CWD rule clarifications after state confirms first domestic cases
Summary
Lawmakers approved rule changes to domestic cervid (domestic elk) surveillance rules (docket 020419‑2401) to align with House Bill 591 and to clarify testing and herd management procedures after Idaho confirmed its first two chronic wasting disease (CWD) cases in domestic herds.
The House Agriculture Affairs Committee approved clarifying changes to domestic cervid surveillance rules (docket 020419‑2401) to align rule language with House Bill 591 and to reflect current testing protocols after the state confirmed chronic wasting disease (CWD) in two domestic herds.
Dr. Scott Lively, State Veterinarian, briefed the committee that the rule changes mainly remove definitions and language that duplicate the statute and update the official tissue testing standard. The rule now specifies that an “official CWD test” includes collection of both brain stem and retropharyngeal lymph node tissue — consistent with current industry practice — rather than brain stem alone. The department also clarified reporting timelines: confirmed positives require immediate notification to the state veterinarian; notifiable diseases must be reported within seven days.
Dr. Lively explained recent context: Idaho identified its first two confirmed domestic CWD cases in eastern Idaho. Based on the department’s ongoing investigations, he said those two domestic positives are most consistent with transmission from other domestic herds rather than directly from wildlife. He emphasized that CWD cannot currently be diagnosed in live animals with an approved validated test; confirmation requires post‑mortem tissue testing.
House Bill 591 (2024) modified options available to producers after a positive detection; the rule changes align the rule with statute and clarify that producers with multiple facilities under common ownership may move exposed animals among those facilities while under quarantine, subject to herd‑management plan terms. Dr. Lively said herd‑management plans will set testing expectations and other conditions for affected facilities; House Bill 591 did not itself set mandatory testing percentages following a confirmed positive.
Committee members asked about import protocols from other jurisdictions; Dr. Lively said strict import protocols apply (five‑year herd history, testing for bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis, documentation of escapes or wild ingress) and that importers must meet high standards before permits are granted.
Representative Greger moved approval; the committee approved the docket by voice vote.
Ending: The department said it will work with affected producers on herd management plans and with Fish and Game on wild‑herd surveillance and management going forward.
