110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1726
To promote more humane treatment of farm animals.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 28, 2007
Mr. DEFAZIO (for himself, Mr. SHAYS, Mr. KUCINICH, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr.
FRANK of Massachusetts, and Mr. MORAN of Virginia) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and 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 more humane treatment of farm animals.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act'.
SEC. 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 in compliance with this Act.
(b) Declaration of Policy- It is the policy of the United States that the
raising of livestock, including pigs, cattle, bison, chickens, turkeys,
ducks, geese, goats, sheep, rabbits, ostriches, emus, rheas, and other non-aquatic
animals used, or intended for use, for food production shall be consistent
with the basic principles of animal welfare.
SEC. 3. MINIMUM COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL PROCUREMENT.
(a) In General- The Federal Government may not purchase any food product
derived from a covered animal 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 animal is--
(1) provided adequate space to stand, lie down, move his or her head freely,
turn around completely, and fully extend all limbs or wings without touching
any part of an enclosure or another animal;
(2) provided 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;
(3) provided adequate veterinary care, including prompt treatment or humane
euthanasia of a sick or injured covered animal; and
(4) in the case of a covered animal that is a mammal, the offspring of
a dam that was kept in compliance with paragraphs (1) through (3) during
the pregancy yielding such offspring.
SEC. 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;
(4) while undergoing an examination, test, treatment, or operation for
individualized veterinary purposes to improve the well-being of such covered
animal; or
(5) in the case of a sow, during the seven day period prior to the date
the sow is expected to give birth.
SEC. 5. COVERED ANIMAL DEFINED.
In this Act, the term `covered animal' means any non-aquatic farm animal,
including a pig, head of cattle, head of bison, chicken, turkey, duck, goose,
goat, sheep, rabbit, ostrich, emu, or rhea used or intended for use in food
production.
SEC. 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.
SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect on the date that is two years after the date
of the enactment of this Act.
END
