Glenn Thompson: “Chairman Conaway, and Ranking Member Peterson, I am grateful for the opportunity to be here today and speak on this…”

“Chairman Conaway, and Ranking Member Peterson, I am grateful for the opportunity to be here today and speak on this amendment. Chronic wasting disease is a wildlife health disorder impacting the cervid populations in 24 States, including Pennsylvania. The disease attacks the brain and nervous system of these animals, which include deer, elk, and mule and moose species, and always results in death. Currently, we don't have a way to live test, and there is no cure or vaccine for the disease. First identified in Colorado in the 1960s, CWD, as it is known, wasn't detected in Pennsylvania until 2012. However, the problem continues to grow as the State Game Commission has found a doubling of instances between 2016 and 2017. If this trend continues, we will see devastating impacts on our cervid populations as well as related ecological consequences. Title VII, the research portion of the farm bill, provides important support for innovation, research, and development at our Nation's land grant universities and agricultural colleges. To help wildlife managers and States combat the problem of CWD, my amendment simply adds chronic wasting disease to section 7208, high- priority research and extension initiatives. According to the CBO, this amendment would have no change in direct spending or revenue. However, this amendment would help focus some resources toward chronic wasting disease research.…”