GRNC Alert 8-24-15: Troxler Sics Spinmeisters on Deer Scheme

Last week, GRNC alerted you to a potential disaster as Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, in an apparent “pay to play” scheme with wealthy deer farmer (and former Food Lion CEO) Tom E. Smith and others, began pushing an effort to expand commercial deer farming – a scheme which could spread “Chronic Wasting Disease” (CWD) from deer herds in other states, potentially decimating North Carolina’s indigenous deer population.

Apparently, our alert struck a nerve. Senator Brent Jackson, the primary sponsor for Senate Bill 513 (and a close friend of Troxler) responded with carefully parsed half-truths and outright falsehoods. Additionally, financially-motivated deer farmers called GRNC to complain we are “lying” and a front group for a small number of wealthy land owners calling itself the “NC Deer and Elk Farmers’ Association” is now emailing the NC House. But make no mistake: Troxler’s bid for deer farming is all about money – big money for a few wealthy land owners, and big contributions to Steve Troxler’s campaign.

Where Does NCWRC Stand?

Jackson and deer farming proponents claim the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) “voted unanimously” to transfer farmed deer oversight to Troxler’s Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS). Unfortunately, that is a lie. Although a letter supporting the move was signed by Executive Director Gordon Myers and 3 of the WRC’s 21 members, the commission as a whole never voted on the measure.

Don’t take our word for it. CLICK HERE or go to http://grnc.org/documents/NCWRC-letter.pdf to see the opinion by Staff Counsel for the NC General Assembly, which notes that the NCWRC is required to follow Roberts Rules of Order and says in part:

“In looking at the WRC meeting minutes from this year, it does not appear that WRC took a vote on whether to formally support the captive cervid program transfer in S513.  That being said, the policy statement in the letter from WRC was not presented as a resolution of the Commission.  Nothing in the statutes or in Robert’s Rules of Order would prohibit the executive director, chairman, or a commissioner from sending a general statement in support of a legislative policy even if WRC did not formally adopt a resolution in support of the policy.”

Sen. Jackson’s Spin vs. the Truth

Jackson spin: “Thank you for taking the time to reach out to our office with your concerns regarding the proposed transfer of the Captive Cervid Program from the Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS).  Our office is always happy to receive feedback from constituents…There has been quite a bit of misinformation spread on this issue, so I hope you will allow us the chance to clear some of it up and get down to the facts.”

Truth: On this we agree, but the misinformation comes from proponents of deer farming.

Spin: “…the presence or absence of deer farming in a state has no demonstrable impact on the likelihood of CWD introduction…”

Truth: Regarding CWD “introduction,” Section 14 of SB 513 provides for Troxler’s department to issue permits for importation and exportation of deer. In the natural environment, deer only range 15-20 miles in their lifetime. The origin of CWD was Colorado in the 1960’s. The movement of CWD under natural circumstances would be very slow but movement of deer as livestock greatly increases the chances of an infected animal moving into a CWD free area. Furthermore, the transmission characteristics coupled to the fact that some animals can carry the CWD prion without developing the disease for over a decade make deer farms veritable breeding grounds for CWD.

Spin: “The most important factor in the spread of any disease is the movement of the creature that carries the disease.  Under the terms of the proposed transfer in Senate Bill 513, importation of CWD-susceptible species into North Carolina will be prohibited until a live test is developed, which will enable state regulators to test every imported animal for CWD.”

Truth: There is already a “live animal test” which meets the requirements of the bill, but it requires multiple follow-up procedures and is even then questionable. The cost and practical limitations of this test make it impractical. Moreover, a herd in Texas which had been certified CWD for nine years recently tested positive, raising questions as to the reliability of the test.

Spin: “Further, the bill also prohibits the importation of non-susceptible species if they have been commingled with susceptible species.”

Truth: How would this be determined? A “non-susceptible species” would include any animal other than mule deer, whitetail deer or elk. Because the CWD “prion” survives the infected deer in the soil and can be consumed by a “non-susceptible” species and passed back to the earth through bodily fluids to be consumed by “susceptible” species, how can commingled animals be determined reliably?

Spin: “…it is a well-known fact that wild deer do not recognize state lines. Perhaps the greatest CWD risk our State faces right now comes from infected wild cervids in West Virginia and Virginia.”

Truth: The greatest risk comes from infected deer or deer carrying the CWD prion traveling in a cattle carrier. The money involved with the trophy whitetail deer “industry” will be a compelling temptation for mischief and outright criminal behavior with regard to securing the ingredients necessary to produce the desired breeding results, which are the largest antlers “cervid eugenics” can produce.

Spin: “With regard to preventing the introduction of or managing CWD if it should come into this State, NCDA&CS is in the best position to have the resources and capability to address this disease… NCDA&CS houses the Office of the State Veterinarian, which employees 140 people, including 23 veterinarians accredited by the USDA and a multitude of technicians and support personnel…In fact, NCDA&CS and WRC have worked together, in preparation of the possible transfer, to develop a strategy to optimize each other’s capabilities to oversee the industry and prevent the introduction of disease by anything other than the naturally occurring progression of CWD across the country.”

Truth: This relationship already exists. This actual purpose of the transfer of cervid farming from WRC to NCDA&CS serves an entirely different purpose. This paragraph is pure subterfuge omitting the real goal of the transfer. By placing deer farming under the control of NCDA&CS the farming operations would draw benefits from the United States Department of Agriculture, since federal laws provide for compensation of loss of livestock in the event of a disease outbreak.

Spin: “WRC has previously affirmed their support for the transfer and voted unanimously in favor of the transfer as set out in Senate Bill 513.”

Truth: As outlined above, the letter is carefully written to disguise the fact that it is a consensus of only a few members of the board. As confirmed by the NCWRC’s own minutes of meetings, there has never been a vote on the transfer.