109 HR 5557 IH: To promote the humane treatment of farm U.S. House of Representatives 2006-06-08 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 109th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5557 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 8, 2006 Mr. Shays (for himself and Mr. DeFazio) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To promote the humane treatment of farm animals.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act.

2.

Findings and declaration of policy

(a)

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)More humane treatment of livestock minimizes needless suffering, results in safer and better working conditions for persons engaged in the animal agricultural industry, brings about improvement of products, and generates other benefits for producers, processors, consumers, public health, and the environment, which expedite an orderly flow of livestock products in interstate and foreign commerce. (2)The Federal Government can lead by example in the marketplace and encourage more humane practices by purchasing products derived from livestock raised more humanely. (b)

Declaration of policy

It is the policy of the United States that the raising of livestock, including pigs, cattle, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, goats, horses, mules, sheep, rabbits, ostriches, emus, rheas, and other non-aquatic animals used, or intended for use, as food or fiber or to produce food or fiber, shall be carried out only by methods that promote animal welfare.

3.

Humane methods for federal procurement

(a)

In general

The Federal Government may not purchase any product derived from a covered animal used or intended for use as food or fiber or to produce food or fiber unless such covered animal is raised in compliance with subsection (b). (b)

Compliance

A covered animal is raised in compliance with this subsection only if the method of raising such covered animal provides— (1)adequate shelter which allows sufficient space for the covered animal to stand, lie down, get up, walk, move his or her head freely, rest, and turn around completely and fully extend all limbs or wings without touching any part of an enclosure; (2)daily access to adequate food and water sufficient to ensure the health and well-being of the covered animal without forced feeding or feed withdrawal; and (3)adequate veterinary care, including prompt treatment or humane euthanasia of a sick or injured covered animal.

4.

Exemptions

Nothing in this Act shall apply to a covered animal— (1)during lawful transport; (2)in lawful rodeo exhibitions, State or county fair exhibitions, or other similar exhibitions; (3)in lawful scientific or agricultural research; or (4)while undergoing an examination, test, treatment, or operation for veterinary purposes to improve the well-being of such covered animal.

5.

Covered animal defined

In this Act, the term covered animal means any non-aquatic farm animal, including a pig, head of cattle, chicken, turkey, duck, goose, goat, horse, mule, sheep, rabbit, ostrich, emu, or rhea.

6.

Effect on other laws

Nothing in this Act shall modify, limit, or repeal any law in effect upon the date of the enactment of this Act or preempt any State or local law.

7.

Effective date

This Act shall take effect on the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act.