FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2005
Contact:  Erin K. Kelly
(717) 846-2828
ekelly@pasen.gov
Back

**MEDIA ALERT**

Senate Game & Agriculture Committees to Hold Joint Hearing On Chronic Wasting Disease

HARRISBURG -- The Senate Game & Fisheries and Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committees will hold a joint public hearing on Monday, Oct. 24th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room 8E-B of the Capitol's East Wing to discuss Chronic Wasting Disease. 

Chronic Wasting Disease is a neurological condition that affects deer and elk and can reduce populations where the prevalence is high.  It is similar to "mad cow" disease, although there have been no cases of human infection. 

Sen. Joe Conti (R-10), chairman of the Game & Fisheries Committee, and Sen. Mike Waugh (R-28), chairman of the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, will preside at the hearing. 

Scheduled to testify are Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff, Health Secretary Calvin Johnson, Game Commission Executive Director Vernon R. Ross, U.S. Department of Agriculture Veterinary Medical Officer Dr. Kendra Stauffer, PA Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs Executive Director Melody Zullinger, Dan Snyder of the PA Taxidermist Association, and David Griffith of the PA Deer Farmers Association. 

CONTACT:

Kristin Ebersole
Senator Waugh's Office
(717) 787-3817

Vicki Wilken
Senator Conti's Office
(717) 787-7305