Wayne Allard: “last year, I joined eleven colleagues in an effort to pass legislation that dealt with the eradication, monitoring, and…”

“last year, I joined eleven colleagues in an effort to pass legislation that dealt with the eradication, monitoring, and surveillance of chronic wasting disease. Today, I am offering similar legislation, the ``Chronic Wasting Disease Support Act of 2003.'' Before I discuss the legislation further, I first want to thank Senator Feingold for his leadership on this matter and for working diligently to eradicate the disease. I also want to congratulate the State of Colorado, especially those Departments and Divisions that have been on the leading edge of disease management and eradication. They faced a horrendous task--processing tens of thousands of tests on a tight time frame. While more work lies ahead, they are to be commended for their effort. What was first a serious problem in the western United States, chronic wasting disease now poses a serious threat to every State of the union. As a United States Senator, chronic wasting disease presents not only a great animal health challenge, but a scientific quandary as well. As a veterinarian, chronic wasting disease presents an even greater challenge to the scientific communities of both the States and the Federal Government because we know so little about the disease. This legislation, cosponsored by Senators Feingold, Kohl, Roberts, Campbell, Burns and Craig, is a bipartisan effort to defeat the disease and to send a message that CWD must remain a priority for the Federal Government.”