--------- EMERGENCY SUMMIT --------- The Challenge of CWD: Insidious, Dire, and Urgent A Failure of governance, not science Chronic wasting disease (CWD)—a new, deer version of a ‘mad cow’ (BSE) type disease—is now the largest, fastest- growing, most contagious biomass of infectious prions in global history. Described by scientists as “insidious, dire, and urgent” CWD presents one of the gravest environmental, health, and economic threats in our history. Incredibly, that critical status, the underlying causes, and vital comprehensive response measures continue to be ignored. CWD is a failure of governance, not science—yet the flawed policy that caused and exacerbated the epidemic persists. Despite massive harm and escalating threats (and unlike BSE) we have abandoned even the pretence of containment, allowing continued presence, spread, and growth of the epidemic. These are untenable violations of epidemiology, professional ethics, and public trust, inviting worst case outcomes that extend to the unthinkable: extinctions, treaty violations, global bans on North American agriculture products, and threats to our food supply and human health. The case for comprehensive assessment, followed by immediate, aggressive, and collaborative action is irrefutable. To that end, and per the request of leading experts and vital stakeholders, February 23 and 24 the Canadian Institute of Resources Law, at the University of Calgary, will host an Emergency Summit on CWD. SESSION ONE: Evening, Friday, February 23, 2018 Location: Rm 3360, Murray Fraser Hall (see map) A comprehensive presentation to provide context will cover: The issues, background of science, economics, and law; the role and interface of public policy in context with the historical and evidentiary record; the known threats, implications, and vulnerabilities (both biological and economic); and an outline of vital response measures for containment, mitigation, and adaptive management to protect the public interest. SESSION TWO: Full day, Saturday, February 24, 2018 Location: Rm 3360, Murray Fraser Hall (see map) Building from the comprehensive foundation and a comparison of vital responses with existing policy and protocol, we will initiate a broad scoping analysis to provide input and insights from vital stakeholders and interests. Invitations are still being extended; to date and schedule permitting, those expressing support include: • Canadian Institute of Resources Law (Al Lucas) • Prion science (Neil Cashman, Hermann Schaetzl) • First Nations (Piikani, Assembly of First Nations) • Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (Craig Stephen) • Canadian Agri-food Policy Institute (Ted Bilyea) • Agri-management (Jeff Wilson, Novometrix) • Sustainable enterprise (Lorinda Rowledge, EKOS) • Medical Ethics (Arthur Schafer, U of Manitoba) • Wildlife Management (Rick Baydack, U of Manitoba) Piikani Nation Canadian Institute of Resources Law Hosted by: RSVP to Alliance for Public Wildlife: [email protected]