Committee lifts import restrictions on domestic elk

Despite vocal opposition from sportsmen's groups, a House committee voted Monday to lift an import restriction on domestic elk.

The restriction was imposed in 2003 because of concerns about meningeal worm, a parasite that can have a devastating impact on elk and moose populations.

The worm is endemic to eastern North America. By prohibiting elk imports from the region, the Idaho Department of Agriculture hoped to prevent the parasite from being brought in by infected animals.

The Idaho Elk Breeders Association asked for the restriction to be lifted, saying it undermines their ability to improve their herds with better genetics. They also noted the restriction doesn't apply to sheep or llama, which might be able to pass worm larvae in their feces.

Idaho Fish and Game Director Virgil Moore wrote a letter opposing the rule change, saying if the worm ever gets established in Idaho, “it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to control (and) could cripple the state's hunting industry, which contributes millions of dollars to the economy each year.”

Given such concerns, the Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee opposed the proposed rule change earlier this year. However, a non-fee rule such as this must be rejected by both bodies. When the House Agricultural Affairs Committee voted 8-6 Monday not to concur with the Senate action, it allowed the rule to take effect.

There was no discussion prior to the vote.

House Ag Chairman Ken Andrus, R-Soda Springs, noted afterwards there was conflicting testimony on the issue during several public hearings. Since sheep might be carriers of the parasite, he felt opposition to the rule change had less to do with science and more to do with “an aversion to domestic elk.”