Oklahoma agriculture officials say changes in Missouri law designed to prevent the spread of diseases among deer may affect deer farmers in Oklahoma.
The Missouri Conservation Commission has approved proposed amendments to regulations on the operation of hunting preserves and wildlife breeding facilities that hold white-tailed deer and other members of the deer family.
The goal is to step disease, including chronic wasting disease, from reaching the state's deer herd.
The changes include a ban on the importation of live white-tailed deer from other states. It also requires breeders to participate in a U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved chronic wasting disease herd certification program and sets requirements for disease testing.
Veterinarian Justin Roach of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry says Oklahoma does significant commerce with Missouri with farmed deer.
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