MS SB2543

Brings forward eight Mississippi Code sections related to chronic wasting disease (CWD) for potential amendment, effective July 1, 2023.

Establishes a temporary moratorium on importing elk, red deer, mule deer, black-tailed deer, and other CWD-susceptible cervids into Mississippi until the U.S. Department of Agriculture adopts CWD regulations; violations subject to Class I penalties.

Requires owners of white-tailed deer enclosures to register with the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and submit tissue samples from harvested deer for CWD testing (minimum one deer per 200 acres); first violation fined $500, subsequent violations fined $1,000.

Prohibits declaring surrounding properties within five miles of a CWD-positive enclosure a CWD Management Zone unless chronic wasting disease is positively detected on those specific properties.

Authorizes wildlife personnel and State Veterinarian agents to enter cervid enclosures for inspection, testing, and sample collection when CWD is diagnosed within five miles of the enclosure.