1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to agriculture; modifying provisions related 
  1.3             to farmed cervidae; amending Minnesota Statutes 1994, 
  1.4             sections 17.451, subdivision 2; and 17.452, 
  1.5             subdivisions 10 and 12.  
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 17.451, 
  1.8   subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  1.9      Subd. 2.  [FARMED CERVIDAE.] "Farmed cervidae" means 
  1.10  members of the cervidae family that are: 
  1.11     (1) raised for the purpose of producing fiber, meat, or 
  1.12  animal by-products, as pets, or as breeding stock; and 
  1.13     (2) held in a constructed enclosure designed to prevent 
  1.14  escape; and 
  1.15     (3) registered in a manner approved by the board of animal 
  1.16  health and marked or identified with a unique number or other 
  1.17  system approved by the board. 
  1.18     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 17.452, 
  1.19  subdivision 10, is amended to read: 
  1.20     Subd. 10.  [FENCING.] (a) Farmed cervidae must be confined 
  1.21  in a manner designed to prevent escape.  Fencing must meet the 
  1.22  requirements in this subdivision unless an alternative is 
  1.23  specifically approved by the commissioner.  The board of animal 
  1.24  health shall follow the guidelines established by the United 
  1.25  States Department of Agriculture in the program for eradication 
  2.1   of bovine tuberculosis.  Perimeter fencing must be of the 
  2.2   following heights: 
  2.3      (1) for fences constructed before August 1, 1995, for 
  2.4   farmed deer, at least 75 inches; and 
  2.5      (2) for fences constructed before August 1, 1995, for 
  2.6   farmed elk, at least 90 inches; and 
  2.7      (3) for fences constructed on or after August 1, 1995, for 
  2.8   all farmed cervidae, at least 96 inches. 
  2.9      (b) The farmed cervidae advisory committee shall establish 
  2.10  guidelines designed to prevent the escape of farmed cervidae and 
  2.11  other appropriate management practices.  
  2.12     (c) The commissioner of agriculture in consultation with 
  2.13  the commissioner of natural resources shall adopt rules 
  2.14  prescribing fencing criteria for farmed cervidae. 
  2.15     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 17.452, 
  2.16  subdivision 12, is amended to read: 
  2.17     Subd. 12.  [IDENTIFICATION.] (a) Farmed cervidae must be 
  2.18  identified by United States Department of Agriculture brands, 
  2.19  markings, metal ear tags, collars, electronic implants, tattoos, 
  2.20  or other means of identification approved by the board of animal 
  2.21  health in consultation with the commissioner of natural 
  2.22  resources.  Newborn or imported animals are required to be 
  2.23  identified by March 1 of each year.  The board shall authorize 
  2.24  discrete permanent identification for farmed cervidae in public 
  2.25  displays or other forums where visible identification is 
  2.26  objectionable. 
  2.27     (b) Identification of farmed cervidae is subject to 
  2.28  sections 35.821 to 35.831. 
  2.29     (c) The board of animal health shall register farmed 
  2.30  cervidae upon request of the owner.  The owner must submit the 
  2.31  registration request on forms provided by the board.  The forms 
  2.32  must include sales receipts or other documentation of the origin 
  2.33  of the cervidae.  The board shall provide copies of the 
  2.34  registration information to the commissioner of natural 
  2.35  resources upon request.  The owner must keep written records of 
  2.36  the acquisition and disposition of registered farmed cervidae.