SF4715

Purpose

This bill changes Minnesota’s rules about importing live Cervidae (the deer family) with a focus on disease control for chronic wasting disease (CWD). It creates a specific exemption for elk from the general import prohibition and adds several certification, permitting, and exemption provisions for other cervids, zoos, and AZA-accredited facilities.

Main provisions

• Import prohibition with testing for non-exempt cervids:
  • A person may not import live Cervidae into Minnesota from a state or province where CWD has been detected in farmed or wild cervids in the last five years unless the animal tests negative for CWD using a validated live-animal test.
• Certification requirement:
  • Live Cervidae or Cervidae semen imported into Minnesota must come from a herd that participates in a state, federal, or provincial CWD herd certification program and has reached the highest level of certification.
• Enforcement:
  • Cervidae imported in violation may be seized and destroyed by the Commissioner of Natural Resources.
• AZA exemption:
  • The prohibition does not apply to interstate transfers of animals between two facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
• Permits for certain non-susceptible or special cases:
  • 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 after a joint risk-based assessment with the institution.
• Zoo/import permits for reindeer:
  • 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 herd is part of the USDA Herd Certification Program or has similar disease surveillance, at the veterinarian’s discretion.

Exemptions and permissions (notable carve-outs)

• Elk exemption:
  • Elk are exempt from the general live Cervidae importation prohibition, reflecting a special treatment in the bill’s framework.
• Interstate AZA transfers:
  • Transfers between AZA-accredited facilities are exempt from the subdivision’s import prohibition.
• Orphaned wild cervids and non-CWD-susceptible species:
  • Certain orphaned or non-CWD-susceptible species may be imported to AZA-accredited institutions after a risk-based assessment.
• Reindeer for zoos:
  • Reindeer can be imported by zoos with approved disease surveillance when meeting HC or equivalent standards.

Enforcement and penalties

• Violations can lead to seizure and destruction of the offending cervids by the state authorities.

Significant changes to existing law

• Adds a formal elk exemption to Minnesota’s live Cervidae import prohibition.
• Introduces explicit testing and certification requirements for most imported cervids.
• Creates new permit pathways for orphaned non-CWD-susceptible species and for zoos to import reindeer under disease surveillance.
• Expands exemptions to include interstate AZA transfers, shifting some practical import flexibility to zoos and AZA facilities.

Practical implications

• Hunters, breeders, and wildlife facilities may gain or lose import flexibility depending on certification status and facility type.
• Zoos and AZA-accredited institutions could more easily import certain animals (like reindeer) if they meet surveillance standards.
• The state would have clearer enforcement tools and penalties for improper imports, reinforcing CWD control.

Relevant Terms - live Cervidae - elk - chronic wasting disease (CWD) - herd certification program - Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) - interstate transfer - live-animal test (validated) - imported Cervidae semen - Commissioner of Natural Resources - state veterinarian - USDA Herd Certification Program - endangered or orphaned wild cervid species - non-CWD-susceptible species - zoos (USDA licensed exhibitors)