Purpose

This bill would modify Minnesota’s rules for importing live cervids (deer family animals) to address chronic wasting disease (CWD) risks, while creating specific allowances and oversight for elk, zoo-related transfers, and certain reindeer and orphaned cervids.

Main Provisions

• Import restriction focused on live cervids:
  • A prohibition is set on importing live cervidae into Minnesota from states or provinces where chronic wasting disease has been detected in farmed or wild cervids in the last five years, with an exception for elk.
  • If a non-elk cervid is imported from such areas, the animal must test negative for CWD using a validated live-animal test to be allowed.
• Certification requirements:
  • Any live cervid or cervid semen imported must originate from a herd that has participated in a state, federal, or provincial CWD herd certification program and has achieved the highest level of certification.
• Penalties and enforcement:
  • Cervids imported in violation of these rules may be seized and destroyed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
• Special exemptions and permits:
  • Interstate transfers between two facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) are not subject to this subdivision.
  • The commissioner may issue a permit to import orphaned wild cervid species that are not susceptible to CWD from another state to an AZA-accredited institution in Minnesota after a joint risk-based assessment.
  • The state veterinarian may issue a permit to a zoo (USDA-licensed exhibitor of regulated animals) to import live reindeer from another state if the reindeer are part of the USDA Herd Certification Program or under similar disease surveillance, at the state veterinarian’s discretion.

Notable Changes to Law

• Adds an elk-specific exception to the general live cervid import prohibition, with testing and/or certification pathways that must be met for other cervids.
• Strengthens import standards by requiring herd-level CWD certification for any live cervid or cervid semen imported.
• Creates targeted pathways to support AZA-accredited institutions and certain zoos in importing animals under oversight, including orphaned cervids and reindeer.
• Maintains enforcement tools (seizure and destruction for violators) and clarifies that violations can be subject to DNR action.

Impacts and Implications

• For hunters and farmers: stricter controls on importing non-elk cervids from CWD-affected areas unless negative test results and certified herd status are shown.
• For zoos and wildlife facilities: potential for smoother interstate transfers and imports of eligible animals (e.g., AZA facilities, orphaned species, reindeer) through approved permits and risk assessments.
• For animal health and surveillance: emphasizes testing, disease certification, and ongoing surveillance to reduce CWD spread risk.

Enforcement and Oversight

• Seizure and destruction of illegally imported cervids remains a tool.
• The state veterinarian and commissioners have authority to issue permits and oversee import activities, including risk assessments for special cases.

Notable Stakeholders Mentioned

• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
• State veterinarian
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• AZA-accredited institutions and USDA-licensed exhibitors

Relevant sections indicate a balancing act: protecting wildlife health from CWD while enabling carefully supervised imports for zoos, orphaned species, and certain reindeer.

Relevant Terms - chronic wasting disease (CWD) - CWD - Cervidae - elk - live cervidae - Cervidae semen - herd certification program - highest certification - Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) - interstate transfer - orphaned wild cervid species not susceptible to CWD - not susceptible to CWD - reindeer - USDA Herd Certification Program - disease surveillance - validated live-animal test - Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) - state veterinarian - regulated animals - importation prohibition - seizure and destruction