PDF Version for Printing (Requires Adobe Acrobat) Facility Standards
All registered privately owned cervidae facilities must have perimeter fencing constructed of continuous woven wire for the entire vertical height, and be maintained in a condition to prevent ingress or egress of any cervidae species. The integrity of all perimeter fencing shall be monitored by the owner, or their authorized representative, for integrity on not less than a monthly basis and following any possible physical damage. The date and person conducting the inspection must be contained within the farm records. The ground edge of the fencing shall remain at or below ground level at all times. Appropriate openings not to exceed 6 inches square may be present at ground level to facilitate the movement of small mammals and reptiles, if determined necessary by agreement between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and the owner. The following fence heights shall apply for species within the registered facilities:

1. White tailed deer, sika deer, fallow deer, and mule deer species - the minimum vertical fence height shall be 10 feet from the ground level.
2. Elk and Red Deer - the minimum vertical fence height shall be 8 feet from the ground level.
3. Reindeer and Caribou - the minimum vertical fence height shall be 4 ½ feet from the ground level.

   Fence height for any other cervidae species may be approved under a limited registration (class I, II, or III) set by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture. For any registered facilities that are to be approved for multiple species, the fence height requirement for the applicable species that requires the highest minimum vertical height shall apply to the facility.

   Any facilities which have utilized 8 foot high continuous woven wire fencing with single stranded high tensile wire for the top 2 feet of fencing, as required under a valid Permit to Maintain Wildlife in Captivity with MDNR issued prior to the implementation of Public Act 190 of 2000, will be allowed to be registered under this act. Any additions to the facility, or fence replacements that are greater than or equal to 40 feet in length, need to utilize current fencing standards.

Records
Farm records must be kept on site for all livestock included within the herd, regardless of species. Any livestock contained within the perimeter fence are considered to be within the herd. Availability of a record-keeping system on farm must be demonstrated during a preregistration inspection prior to approval of registration. Farm records must include the following for each livestock animal within the herd:

1. Official identification number.
2. Species and gender.
3. Age upon entry into the herd.
4. Date and method of entry into the herd including purchase or natural reproduction.
5. For any purchased animals, the complete name, address, and phone number of the person from whom the animal was acquired.
6. Copies of any test certificates, herd status letters, or official interstate or international health certificates, required to show compliance with any state or federal law, for animals entering the herd.
7. Date and method of disposition for any animals which are removed from the herd, including sale, transfer, and mortality. For all mortalities, records must contain whether the mortality was intentional or non-intentional, and method and site of disposal.
8. For any animals sold or transferred live, the complete name, address, and phone number of the person who received the animals at the destination.
9. Copies of any required test certificates, herd status letters, or official interstate or international health certificates required to show compliance with any state or federal laws, for animals removed from the herd.

al animal from the herd.

Individual Animal Identification
It is the expressed intent that privately owned cervidae should be visibly identified as privately owned. In those cases where owners are unable to visibly identify animals, the owner must work with the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA), in conjunction with MDNR, to develop a plan to adequately address biosecurity issues that may affect prevention of animals being released from the facility. In 2005, this standard will be reviewed by MDA and MDNR to determine if technological advances in animal handling and identification have made this standard null.

All livestock species within the enclosure occupied by the privately owned cervidae must be officially identified by one of the following methods:

1. Official alpha-numeric ear tag.
2. Registration tattoo for animals registered with an official breed registry only.
3. Electronic identification placed at the base of the left ear. This type of official identification may only be used to meet registration requirements if an electronic identification reader capable of being used to identify the animal is present at the registered facility. It is the responsibility of the owner at the registered facility to ensure that the appropriate electronic reader is present at the facility.
4. Any other official identification approved by the director.

Official identification must be present upon entry into the herd for all animals acquired other than through natural reproduction. For animals that are added to the herd through natural reproduction, official identification must be applied prior to the animal reaching one year of age. See the section on Limited Registration guidelines for identification requirements of animals located on Class III (Ranch) registered facilities.

Recovery Protocol for Any Animals Which Become Released
Any livestock from within the perimeter fence which become located outside the perimeter fence, not under the direct control of the owner, for more than 12 hours will be considered as released. In the event that an animal meets the criteria of released, the owner must contact MDA within 24 hours of discovery of the release. In the event that a release occurs outside of normal MDA business hours, the owner must report the event to MDA during the next business day. Any animal that becomes released from a registered facility and is recovered must immediately be placed in an isolation facility that maintains the animal no less than 30 feet from all other livestock on the registered facility at all times.

In the event that the animal is not recovered within 48 hours from the time the animal is discovered as released, MDA will develop a recovery plan for reacquisition of the animal, if possible, in consultation with MDNR and privately owned cervidae industry, if appropriate. This plan may include methods used to recover the animal, maximum allowable timeframe for recovery, isolation period and methods used to conduct any required isolation prior to reintroduction into the herd, and any necessary tests or examinations which must be performed at owner expense prior to reintroduction. MDA will evaluate the cause of the release, and may require modifications of fencing or management practices to prevent reoccurrence of release. Animals that become released will be considered as privately owned animals as long as that animal retains official identification, and the owner follows procedures for recovery specified by MDA.

Animals that become released which do not bear visible identification are not exempted from legal taking under a permit issued by MDNR (hunting license, deer damage permit, or disease control permit).

Oversight Responsibilities and Reporting
The Michigan Department of Agriculture will have primary inspection and oversight responsibilities for compliance with requirements of the act following acceptance into the registration program.

Each owner of any registered privately owned cervidae facility must submit an annual report to MDA that indicates completed inspection of perimeter fencing for integrity and maintenance. This report must contain the date and time of inspection, name of person completing inspection, any noted deficiencies, and method of repair. An annual report of inventory must be sent to MDA by January 15 of each calendar year that specifies the total number of each species present within the registered facility, and number of each species added or removed from the herd during the previous 12 months (January - December). Farm records must be provided to MDA representatives upon request at any reasonable hour, and must be kept for a minimum period of 3 years following removal of an animal from the facility.

MDA will conduct inspection of each registered privately owned cervidae facility at minimum 3 year intervals. Inspection intervals for individual registered facilities may be determined on a risk basis, utilizing criteria which may include type of registration approved, difficulty of complying with registration requirements, risk of animals becoming released, size of facility, number of animal movements reported, risk of occurrence of a reportable disease, and complaint, inspection, or compliance history. MDA inspection intervals may be modified based upon the presence or absence of any industry-sponsored private inspection or education programs.

Limited Registration Guidelines
The Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture may grant limited registration for privately owned cervidae facilities. Limited registrations may provide for modified record-keeping or individual animal identification requirements, fee requirements, and limitations on movements of animals or animal products. The following are current limited registration classes: