Department of Agriculture and Forestry, State of Louisiana - Mike Strain DVM, Commissioner

NEWS

NOTICE – Emergency Rule Filed with State Register

September 29, 2022

Re: Alternative Livestock – Chronic Wasting Disease

Release Date: September 29, 2022

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has filed an emergency rule with the State Register giving public notice that in accordance with the emergency provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 49:953(B), and pursuant to the authority set forth in R.S. 3:3101, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry is adopting an emergency regulation to provide for the regulation of alternative livestock, including imported exotic deer and antelope, elk, facility-raised whitetail deer, and other exotic cervidae within the state of Louisiana.

The provisions established in these emergency regulations are necessary to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease in Louisiana into alternative livestock facilities in the state of Louisiana. For these reasons contained in the regulations, the potential spread of chronic wasting disease in Louisiana presents an imminent peril to the public health, safety, and welfare of Louisiana’s citizens, the state’s alternative livestock, and the state’s alternative livestock industry, as set forth in La. R.S. 49:953(A)(1)(a).

This Declaration of Emergency was signed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Mike Strain, DVM, and went into effect on September 22, 2022.

Click here to view the Declaration of Emergency.