Judge dismisses lawsuit against deer farm laws

(KNOX) – A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging Minnesota laws that tighten regulation of the farmed deer industry.
The Legislature last year passed a package of laws restricting expansion and operation of white tailed deer farms in the state. The action was in response to the spread of chronic wasting disease, an always fatal neurological disease that infects deer and elk.
The Minnesota Deer Farmers Association filed suit against the state, seeking an injunction to prevent enforcement of the laws.
On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge John Tunheim denied the injunction request and dismissed the lawsuit, saying the Minnesota Legislature passed the statute to prevent the spread of CWD, not to eliminate the white-tail deer farming profession.
An attorney for the deer farmers said they will appeal the ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.