Please do not use culling as…

Please do not use culling as a control. CBD is not infectious to humans. There is a humane alternative to lethal testing RAMALT, that does not involve killing the animal.

Shooting of deer in urban areas puts everyone at risk. It also creates psychological trauma for witnesses.

If lethal testing is done, it should only be done in animals killed for food anyway.

Banning animal parts is a good idea.

Of great concern is the Incident Response Management Plan, and the CWD Enhanced Surveillence Control Zone. Shooting animals for the purpose of dissection is cruel. Many healthy animals die in the process. Mass shooting is not the answer. Reducing deer populations to 2km2 is crazy. They are herd animals, and would be picked off by predators without a herd. Deer also require socialization with other deer.

Culling deer around affected areas may or may not work. Deer with natural immunity may be wiped out. Another disease, or no disease, may be present in slaughtered or shot animals.

Affected farms should be allowed to quarantine, not kill, healthy seeming animals who test negative with the live RAMALT test. Humane, medical euthanasia by a vet can be given to animals who live test under RAMALT, or animals who show symptoms.

Wild suspect animals should be live captured, RAMALT tested, and either humanely euthanized by a vet or released on site. The destruction of suspect animals should not be done by a hunter.

Wildlife centres should be allowed to take in animals in suspected areas under quarantine. This prevents underground rehab that happens when a no rehab and shoot and dissect policy occurs.