Last week, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture's board heard testimonies from various farm and other animal owners who have received letters from the state asking them to either register their premises or face penalties.

The same day, DATCP board members also received a letter from State Assemblywoman Barb Gronemus--who was the lead author of the legislation in 2003--stating that her intentions were not to threaten producers, but rather give them an incentive to get an animal tracking system in place, should there ever be a catastrophic disease outbreak.

"Ever since the enactment of the program, dairy farmers and others have contacted me with grave concerns about the methods used by the department (DATCP) to encourage premise ID registration... and in each case I was informed that it was the position of the department that no enforcement actions would be taken against those who hadn't registered," the Whitehall Democrat wrote. "The present harassment and threats of loss of dairy licenses by the department, and notices from processors that they will not accept after April 20th milk from any dairy farmer who has not registered their premise is totally unconscionable and was not the intend of the legislation."

However, State Veterinarian Bob Ehlenfeldt told Wisconsin Ag Connection that since the law was passed, the agency has an obligation to enforce it.

"Our producers need to know that this system is NOT voluntary," Ehlenfeldt said. "According to the statutes, farms have until May 1 to get their properties registered or renewed for the current year, or they are not compliant."

The board did not take action on the issue, but State Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen has put together a committee to look into whether the "punishment fits the crime."

"We have had excellent success in Wisconsin, where more than 55,500 premises are now registered," Nilsestuen told Wisconsin Ag Connection. "But it is extremely important for disease control that everybody sign up. It's easy, confidential and security based."

Ehlenfeldt says over 1,300 letters where sent last month to farm and landowners who failed to sign up for the program. Since then nearly half have taken the necessary steps to register.

Meanwhile, Nilsestuen said the department will continue to answer questions and concerns. He also mentioned that they are open to working with producers.

Source: Wisconsin Ag Connection