D.A. WAITS TO HEAR FROM AMISH ON REGISTRATION ISSUE
Tuesday, February 26th, 2008 -- 11:43 AM
Earlier this month, we told you The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture contacted Clark County District Attorney Darwin Zwieg seeking help to bring some area farmers into compliance with a state law, but so far, he's had no luck.Under the Wisconsin Premises Registration Act, anyone who "keeps, houses, or co-mingles" livestock must register their premise. Over 40 Clark County farms haven't complied; most of those farms are operated by Amish families, Zwieg says.
DATCP says the premise registration is simply a means to combat disease outbreaks, such as the pseudorabies outbreak that hampered the state's hog industry over the summer.
But, many Old Order Amish believe the registration is an attempt by the government to control them, and speculate it could be related to the Biblical "mark of the beast".
Zwieg says he's attempted to contact an area Bishop, but they have not responded.
While he calls it a "last choice-type of thing," Zwieg acknowledges he may be forced to file misdemeanor charges against the offending farmers.
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