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Industry and DNR clash over fencing rules and penalties for deer farms; committee hears House File 40
Summary
House File 40 would remove statutory language requiring physical‑contact barriers between farmed cervids and wild deer and would eliminate statutory authority to revoke registrations and seize or destroy animals for escapes; deer‑farming groups said costs and unclear DNR guidance have driven producers from the industry, while the DNR warned the
Representative Burkel brought House File 40 for committee consideration. The bill would strike statutory language that requires secondary physical barriers to prevent contact between farmed cervids and free‑roaming wild deer and would remove statutory authority that allows revocation of herd registrations and seizure and destruction of animals after escape incidents or uncorrected fence deficiencies.
Multiple industry witnesses — including Brenda Hartkopf (Minnesota Elk Breeders Association), Tim Sprecht (Minnesota Deer Farmers Association), Scott Fear (president, Minnesota Deer Farmers) — testified in support. They described the…
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