Wildlife Conservation Act
Normal Agricultural Practices
August 2000

INTRODUCTION

The presence of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Michigan's white-tailed deer is a serious problem. The risk to Michigan's deer herd with its many social, ecological and economic values; Michigan's livestock industry; and most importantly, the health of Michigan's citizens is significant. In response, an Executive Directive (No. 1998-01) was issued by the Governor on January 29, 1998. Consistent with this directive, the Natural Resources Commission amended "The Wildlife Conservation Act Order" under the authority of section 8, Act 256 of the Public Acts of 1988. The Order defines "bait", "baiting", and establishes the conditions for baiting. Act No. 66 of the Public Acts of 1999 was approved by the Governor on June 25, 1999, and took immediate effect. The Act amends Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994. The amendments define "feed", "feeding" and establishes the conditions for feeding. These changes were enacted as components in the strategy to eradicate bovine tuberculosis and relate to the management of feed and bait materials that may result in the congregation of wild, free-ranging white-tailed deer and elk. The following farm management practices have been developed to provide producers and growers with compliance assistance information. The feeding and baiting regulations have statewide application and thus so do the "Normal Agricultural Practices".

In defining normal agricultural practices an emphasis was placed on ensuring flexibility and minimizing the financial burden on growers and producers. However, it is noted that implementation of the "Wildlife Conservation Act Order" may impose management changes and in some cases increase demand on financial, capital, and human resources of the impacted farms. It is also noted that the implementation of the order may temporarily increase local cervidae (deer and elk) feeding pressure on agricultural feed sources until populations are reduced.

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