APHIS Proposes Significant Revisions to Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program Standards

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced significant proposed revisions to its Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Herd Certification Program (HCP) Standards. This action, published on October 26, 2026, initiates a public comment period until November 25, 2026, inviting stakeholders to review and provide input on updated guidelines designed to refine the voluntary program's approach to managing CWD in farmed cervid populations across the United States.

Understanding the CWD Challenge

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal, transmissible neurological disease affecting cervids, which include deer, elk, and moose. As a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, CWD poses a persistent threat to both wild and captive cervid populations. In response to this challenge, APHIS established the National CWD Herd Certification Program in 2014. This program operates as a cooperative effort between federal authorities, state agencies, and the cervid industry, aiming to reduce the incidence and spread of CWD through stringent management and surveillance protocols.

The Herd Certification Program's Framework

The CWD HCP is a voluntary program under which participating states and herd owners agree to abide by specific federal regulations. These regulations, detailed in 9 CFR part 55 and part 81, encompass a range of requirements crucial for disease control. Participants must implement rigorous animal identification systems, adhere to interstate movement guidelines, maintain proper fencing, keep meticulous records, and submit to regular herd inspections and inventories. A critical component is animal mortality testing, which provides essential surveillance data. In the event of CWD exposure, suspicion, or confirmation within a herd, specific response protocols must be followed. APHIS monitors state compliance annually, and successful adherence allows herds to advance in status. After five years of compliance without any CWD evidence, a herd can be certified as low risk for the disease. Importantly, only cervids from these certified low-risk herds are permitted to move interstate.

Proposed Revisions and Their Implications

The latest proposed revisions to the CWD Program Standards, last updated in 2019, are a direct response to concerns raised by state and industry participants. These updates integrate new scientific insights and operational feedback, signaling a proactive evolution in disease management strategy. Several key changes are noteworthy:

Adjusted Trace and Quarantine Periods

One significant revision proposes reducing the trace and quarantine periods specifically for white-tail and mule deer, while maintaining current periods for elk and other cervid species. This differential approach may reflect a re-evaluation of disease dynamics and risk factors specific to these species, potentially streamlining operations for producers of white-tail and mule deer without compromising biosecurity for other, possibly higher-risk, cervid types. The implications could include faster herd clearance and reduced financial burdens for some operations, provided the risk assessment supports the change.

Updated Indemnity Prioritization

The revised standards introduce an updated approach to indemnity prioritization. The new guidelines aim to include factors such as reducing CWD transmission risk, strategically removing high-risk animals, and incentivizing participation in the HCP, including the adoption of genetic strategies to lower herd susceptibility. This shift suggests a move toward more targeted and preventative use of indemnity funds, aligning financial incentives with modern disease control objectives rather than merely compensating for losses.

Scientific Updates and Clarifications

The revisions also incorporate science-based updates and clarifications for areas previously open to interpretation. This ensures that program guidance remains consistent with current veterinary science and provides clearer, unambiguous directives for participants, reducing potential for confusion or inconsistent application of standards across states and operations.

Integration of Predictive Genetics

Notably, the proposed standards include guidelines for the use of predictive genetics. This represents a forward-thinking integration of biotechnology into CWD management, allowing producers to assess and potentially reduce a herd's susceptibility to the disease through genetic selection. This proactive measure could significantly enhance long-term prevention efforts and foster a more resilient cervid population. The indemnity appeal process has also been added, and prioritization guidelines for indemnity funds will now include predictive genetics, further emphasizing its importance.

Movement from CWD Positive Herds

Another significant change allows for the movement of cervids from a CWD positive herd to a terminal positive quarantined hunt facility located in a wildlife endemic area in another state. This is contingent upon the concurrence of State Animal Health Authorities in both the origin and receiving states. This provision provides an alternative management strategy for affected herds, potentially assisting in the controlled removal of infected animals and reducing the financial impact on producers, while aiming to contain the disease within specific, controlled environments.

Stakeholder Engagement and Future Outlook

The availability of these revised standards for public comment underscores APHIS's commitment to a collaborative, science-driven approach to CWD management. Stakeholder feedback is crucial in refining these guidelines to ensure they are both effective and practical for the diverse landscape of cervid farming. Following the comment period, APHIS will review all submissions. If no substantive changes are deemed necessary, the revisions will be adopted as final without further Federal Register publication. However, if significant modifications are required, an additional document will be published, detailing those changes and making the final standards available.

This ongoing process highlights the dynamic nature of federal disease control efforts, adapting to new scientific knowledge and operational realities to protect animal health and the associated agricultural industries.