By Tim Hundt
La Crosse Tribune 4/19/07
http://www.lacrossetribune.com
CASHTON, Wis. — About 200 Amish dairy producers recently met with state officials to again protest a state-mandated livestock identification system they claim will force them to choose between their religion and their livelihood.
The “premise ID” law, passed three years ago but set to take full effect May 1, requires all livestock farms to register with the state and receive a farm ID number.
The Amish, citing specific Biblical passages, say they are prohibited from buying and selling animals that are numbered, and consider it the “mark of the beast.”
Meeting Thursday in an auction barn on Irish Ridge near Cashton, Wis., a number of the Amish producers said they may stop selling milk and animals if they cannot operate without the number.
One producer told state Sen. Dan Kapanke, R-La Crosse, and former Republican state Sen. Brian Rude, “Look at all the electronic gadgets in the world — have they done more good for the American family or have they done more evil?”
Donna Gilson of the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said state officials have given farmers more than a year to comply with the law, but as of May 1 it will not be possible for producers to renew their dairy license without a premise identification number.
Gilson said 90 percent of farms, or about 54,000, have registered, and although there has been a high degree of acceptance in the Amish community, some religious objections have arisen among certain Amish sects in the Coulee Region.
Kapanke and Rude, who sits on the nine-member DATCAP board, both said the law is likely here to stay.
Both were also aware of the concerns in the Amish community.
“I think there was a letter sent out that said, ‘You don’t follow the law, there will be fines, etc.,’” Rude said. “I think we can get people to participate in this without being threatening or using heavy-handed tactics like that.”
Rude said the intent of the law was a good one, which is to have a way for state officials to deal more effectively with animal health issues in the case of an outbreak or potential outbreak of disease.
Gilson said the DATCAP board has been in contact with the Amish community and will meet Wednesday in Madison to discuss the issue.
Tim Hundt is a reporter for the Vernon County Broadcaster.
