Minnesota Session Laws - 1995, Regular Session

                            CHAPTER 39-S.F.No. 1043 
                  An act relating to agriculture; modifying provisions 
                  related to farmed cervidae; amending Minnesota 
                  Statutes 1994, sections 17.451, subdivision 2; and 
                  17.452, subdivisions 10 and 12.  
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 17.451, 
        subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
           Subd. 2.  [FARMED CERVIDAE.] "Farmed cervidae" means 
        members of the cervidae family that are: 
           (1) raised for the purpose of producing fiber, meat, or 
        animal by-products, as pets, or as breeding stock; and 
           (2) held in a constructed enclosure designed to prevent 
        escape; and 
           (3) registered in a manner approved by the board of animal 
        health and marked or identified with a unique number or other 
        system approved by the board. 
           Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 17.452, 
        subdivision 10, is amended to read: 
           Subd. 10.  [FENCING.] (a) Farmed cervidae must be confined 
        in a manner designed to prevent escape.  Fencing must meet the 
        requirements in this subdivision unless an alternative is 
        specifically approved by the commissioner.  The board of animal 
        health shall follow the guidelines established by the United 
        States Department of Agriculture in the program for eradication 
        of bovine tuberculosis.  Perimeter fencing must be of the 
        following heights: 
           (1) for fences constructed before August 1, 1995, for 
        farmed deer, at least 75 inches; and 
           (2) for fences constructed before August 1, 1995, for 
        farmed elk, at least 90 inches; and 
           (3) for fences constructed on or after August 1, 1995, for 
        all farmed cervidae, at least 96 inches. 
           (b) The farmed cervidae advisory committee shall establish 
        guidelines designed to prevent the escape of farmed cervidae and 
        other appropriate management practices.  
           (c) The commissioner of agriculture in consultation with 
        the commissioner of natural resources shall adopt rules 
        prescribing fencing criteria for farmed cervidae. 
           Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 17.452, 
        subdivision 12, is amended to read: 
           Subd. 12.  [IDENTIFICATION.] (a) Farmed cervidae must be 
        identified by United States Department of Agriculture brands, 
        markings, metal ear tags, collars, electronic implants, tattoos, 
        or other means of identification approved by the board of animal 
        health in consultation with the commissioner of natural 
        resources.  Newborn or imported animals are required to be 
        identified by March 1 of each year.  The board shall authorize 
        discrete permanent identification for farmed cervidae in public 
        displays or other forums where visible identification is 
        objectionable. 
           (b) Identification of farmed cervidae is subject to 
        sections 35.821 to 35.831. 
           (c) The board of animal health shall register farmed 
        cervidae upon request of the owner.  The owner must submit the 
        registration request on forms provided by the board.  The forms 
        must include sales receipts or other documentation of the origin 
        of the cervidae.  The board shall provide copies of the 
        registration information to the commissioner of natural 
        resources upon request.  The owner must keep written records of 
        the acquisition and disposition of registered farmed cervidae. 
           Presented to the governor April 10, 1995 
           Signed by the governor April 12, 1995, 11:40 a.m.