SF747

This legislative bill focuses on managing farmed white-tailed deer in Minnesota. The main points include:

1. Authority Transfer: Authority over farmed white-tailed deer is returned to the Board of Animal Health from other regulatory bodies.

2. Escape and Capture Responsibilities:

   • Owners must prevent deer from escaping and attempt to recapture any that do escape within 24 hours, notifying the commissioner of natural resources if they fail.
   • If an owner cannot recapture the deer, the commissioner may destroy them.
   • Hunters can legally kill escaped deer under certain conditions and must report such actions within 24 hours.

3. Fencing Requirements:

   • Farms must have high fences (at least 96 inches tall) to prevent escapes and contact between farmed and wild deer.
   • Specific requirements for gates and immediate repair of any deficiencies are established.
   • Repeated escapes can lead to revocation of the facility’s registration.

4. Disease Control:

   • Mandatory chronic wasting disease surveillance for farmed deer.
   • Movement restrictions and testing requirements for deer transfer are defined.
   • Stringent measures, including potential depopulation, are mandated if chronic wasting disease is detected.

5. Registration and Transfer:

   • New registrations for possessing white-tailed deer are restricted, though current owners can transfer registrations to immediate family members.
   • Mandatory testing and import controls are enforced to prevent disease introduction from other regions.

6. Legal and Financial Responsibilities:

   • Owners are liable for costs related to escapes and disease management.
   • Funding is appropriated for pilot programs to develop resistance to chronic wasting disease and to compensate owners for overregulation damages.

7. Additional Provisions:

   • Repeals certain existing statutes and modifies others to streamline and strengthen the regulatory framework for farmed Cervidae management.

The bill aims at stricter management and oversight of farmed white-tailed deer to prevent escapes and control the spread of diseases like chronic wasting disease, ensuring both animal health and public safety.