Minnesota farmers sue state over ban on new deer farms

(St. Paul, MN)  --  A group of Minnesota farmers is suing the state over restrictions on new deer farms.  

State lawmakers passed new regulations last year to prevent new deer farms from opening as a way to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease.  

The new rules also prevent the transfer of registration for captive white-tailed deer except to immediate family members.  

The federal lawsuit filed by the Minnesota Deer Farmers Association claims the state is trying to discriminate against deer farmers without immediate family.  

It also calls the restrictions an unconstitutional taking of private property by the government.