NEW DEER CARCASS IMPORTATION RESTRICTIONS EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 2005

Richmond, VA — The Board of Game and Inland Fisheries passed at their October 27, 2005 meeting a regulation that prohibits the importation or possession of whole deer carcasses or specified parts of carcasses originating from a state or Canadian province in which Chronic Wasting Disease has been found in free-ranging or captive deer. This includes any member of the family Cervidae (all members of the deer family; including but not limited to white-tailed deer, black tailed deer, mule deer, fallow, axis, and sika deer, elk, moose, and caribou.) For a complete list of these states and provinces visit the Department's Web site at www.dgif.virginia.gov/cwd . The prohibition will take effect on November 1, 2005.

The regulation does provide for the importation and possession of the following parts of deer carcass:

boned-out meat that is cut and wrapped,
quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or skull attached,
hides or capes with no skull attached,
clean (no meat or tissue attached) skull plates with antlers attached,
antlers (with no meat or tissue attached),
upper canine teeth (buglers, whistlers, or ivories), and
finished taxidermy products.
In addition, a legible label shall be affixed to packages or containers holding the allowed carcass parts with the following information: the species of animal, the state or province from where the animal originated, and the name and address of the person who killed or owned the animal.

The regulation goes on to state that any person who imports into Virginia any deer carcass or parts described above and is notified that the animal has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease must report the test results to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries within 72 hours of receiving the notification. In order to facilitate the proper disposal of any infected material, the Department may take into possession any imported carcass or carcass part of an animal if the animal has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease.

For more information on Chronic Wasting Disease see the Department's Web site at www.dgif.virginia.gov/cwd .


http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/newsroom/news.asp?id=73