SF4905

Purpose

This bill changes fencing rules for farmed Cervidae (deer) in Minnesota to improve containment and reduce interactions with wild deer. It updates how fences must be built, inspected, and enforced, and it outlines penalties if fences aren’t kept up.

Main Provisions

• Fencing standards

  • Perimeter fences for farmed Cervidae must be at least 96 inches tall.
  • Fences must be designed and maintained to prevent the escape of farmed Cervidae and prevent entry by freeroaming Cervidae, as well as avoid physical contact between farmed and freeroaming Cervidae.
  • All new fencing and repairs must use high-tensile materials.

• Gate and entry requirements

  • Entry areas for the enclosure must have two redundant gates that are kept to prevent animals escaping through an open gate.

• Repair obligations and timelines

  • If a fence deficiency allows entry or exit by farmed or wild Cervidae, the owner must repair it immediately.
  • Other fencing deficiencies must be repaired within a reasonable time not to exceed 14 days, as determined by the Board of Animal Health.

• Inspection and reinspection

  • If a fence deficiency is found during an inspection, the facility must be reinspected at least once in the next three months.
  • A reinspection fee equal to half of the applicable annual inspection fee applies for each reinspection related to a fence violation.

• Enforcement and penalties

  • If a facility has more than one escape incident in a six-month period or fails to correct a deficiency, the Board may revoke the facility’s registration and order removal or destruction of the animals.
  • If a facility’s registration is revoked, the Commissioner of Natural Resources may seize and destroy the animals at the facility.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Raises the required fence height for farmed Cervidae to 96 inches.
• Requires fencing to be high-tensile and construction/maintenance to meet new standards.
• Adds a strict two-gate requirement for entry areas.
• Establishes concrete timelines for immediate repairs (when entry/exit is possible) and a maximum 14-day repair window for other deficiencies.
• Institutes mandatory, more frequent reinspections after fence deficiencies.
• Introduces a new reinspection fee tied to fence-related issues.
• Expands enforcement tools, including potential revocation of facility registration and seizure/destruction of animals.

Enforcement and Oversight

• The changes involve the Board of Animal Health and the Commissioner of Natural Resources, who will determine adequacy of fencing and compel corrective actions when needed.
• Reinspection and fee provisions create ongoing oversight to ensure fences remain compliant.

Relevant date or implementation details are not specified in the provided text.

Relevant Terms - farmed Cervidae - fencing - perimeter fences - 96 inches - high tensile - two redundant gates - entry areas - freeroaming Cervidae - escape - Board of Animal Health - commissioner of natural resources - corrective action - inspection - reinspection - reinspection fee - annual inspection fee - registration - revocation - seizure - destruction - six-month period - immediate repair - approval time (14 days)