Being able to raise binadu as livestock on Guam got a little closer to reality. Senator Clynt Ridgell's Bill 191 will allow deer taken from the jungle to be raised as livestock, subject to Public Health regulations. Currently, deer are allowed to kept as pets, but Guam rules and regulations don't allow them to be taken from the wild.

"This is where game management and agriculture industry will overlap," explained Chelsa Muna-Brecht, Department of Agriculture director. "Sustainability, restorative agriculture and food security are concepts we are using to usher in Guam's agricultural renaissance. All of this is made possible by efforts such as this legislation. This bill helps our agencies provide support rather than penalties to those who seek to make deer a mainstay food source for our island."

A hearing on Senator Ridgell's Bill 194, which aims to simplify collecting of invasive species inspection fees by charging flat fees for imported goods was also held. The Department of Agriculture receives the fees for its Biosecurity Division's costs. The intent of the law establishing the fee in the 31st Guam Legislature was to collect $2 million in fees, but collections have averaged $600,000 instead, because some people are not paying the fees, Senator Ridgell said.