Maine § 1821. - Maine chronic wasting disease surveillance program

§ 1821.. Maine chronic wasting disease surveillance program

1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A. "Chronic wasting disease" means any member of the family of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies to which cervids, as defined in section 1333, are susceptible.   [PL 2003, c. 386, §17 (AMD).]

B. "Susceptible animal" means any animal, whether domestic or wild, belonging to a species that is capable or believed to be capable of contracting chronic wasting disease.   [PL 1999, c. 765, §8 (NEW).]

2.  Powers of commissioner.  The commissioner may prohibit the importation of a susceptible animal from a region, state or country where chronic wasting disease has been confirmed.

3.  Prevention of chronic wasting disease.  The commissioner shall monitor reports of confirmed cases of chronic wasting disease and communicate the contents of those reports to people involved in the production, care or management of susceptible animals. The commissioner shall monitor progress in the development of diagnostic tests and vaccinations for the disease and communicate the availability of tests and vaccines to people involved in the production, care or management of susceptible animals.

4.  Maine chronic wasting disease surveillance program; rules.  The commissioner shall develop a chronic wasting disease surveillance program. The commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, shall adopt rules to establish the requirements for participation in the program. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.