The Louisiana Legislature held a meeting on April 30, 2025, focusing on concerns surrounding Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer populations, particularly its impact on local farmers. The discussion was prompted by inquiries from farmers worried about the disease's spread and its implications for their corn sales, which are often sold to deer breeders.

Commissioner of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries addressed the issue, clarifying that there are approximately 300 deer pens in Louisiana. He emphasized that the recent CWD case, which involved a pen-raised deer in Jeff Davis Parish, is not linked to the broader wild deer population. The commissioner noted that the positive case was an isolated incident, with no new introductions of animals to the pen in the past five years, and that extensive testing protocols are in place.

Following the identification of the positive case, three additional animals that had been sent to other facilities were also found to be positive and were subsequently euthanized. All affected pens are under a strict five-year quarantine, with no animals allowed to leave alive. The commissioner assured that routine testing is ongoing, and any new positive cases would extend the quarantine period.

The meeting also highlighted the farmers' concerns regarding feeding restrictions in areas affected by CWD. The commissioner explained that these restrictions are necessary to prevent the spread of the disease, which is transmitted through prions found in deer saliva, urine, and feces. He reiterated that there is no evidence linking pen-raised deer to the wild population's CWD cases, which are believed to have originated from Arkansas.

In conclusion, the Louisiana Legislature's meeting underscored the state's commitment to managing CWD through rigorous testing and quarantine measures while addressing the concerns of local farmers about the economic impact of the disease and feeding restrictions.