Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act - Declares that it is U.S. policy that the raising of livestock for food production shall be consistent with the basic principles of animal welfare.
Prohibits a federal agency from purchasing any food product derived from a pig during pregnancy, a calf raised for veal, or an egg-laying hen used or intended for use in food production (covered animal) unless that animal, during the entire period covered by that definition, was provided adequate space to stand up, lie down, turn around freely, and fully extend all limbs. Exempts a covered animal: (1) during lawful transport; (2) during the slaughter of the animal in compliance with the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958 and other applicable law and regulations; (3) in lawful rodeo exhibitions, state or county fair exhibitions, or other similar exhibitions; (4) in lawful scientific or agricultural research; (5) while undergoing an examination, test, treatment, or operation for individualized veterinary purposes to improve the animal's well-being; or (6) in the case of a pig during pregnancy, during the seven-day period immediately before the date the pig is expected to give birth.
Provides that nothing in this Act shall modify, limit, or repeal any law or preempt any state or local law.
[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4733 Introduced in House (IH)]
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4733
To promote the well-being of farm animals by requiring Federal agencies
to procure food products derived from certain animals only from sources
that raised the animals free from cruelty and abuse, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 2, 2010
Ms. Watson (for herself and Mr. Gallegly) 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 the well-being of farm animals by requiring Federal agencies
to procure food products derived from certain animals only from sources
that raised the animals free from cruelty and abuse, and for other
purposes.
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 ``Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty
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 for food production shall be consistent
with the basic principles of animal welfare.
SEC. 3. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL PROCUREMENT OF FOOD PRODUCTS
DERIVED FROM CERTAIN ANIMALS.
(a) Humane Practices Required.--A Federal agency may not purchase
any food product derived from a covered animal unless the covered
animal, during the entire period while covered by the definition in
subsection (d)(1), was raised in compliance with subsection (b).
(b) Compliance.--A covered animal is raised in compliance with the
requirements of subsection (a) only if the animal was provided adequate
space to--
(1) stand up, lie down, and turn around freely; and
(2) fully extend all limbs.
(c) Exemptions.--Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply to a
covered animal--
(1) during lawful transport;
(2) during the slaughter of the covered animal in
compliance with Public Law 85-765 (7 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.;
commonly known as the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958)
and other applicable law and regulations;
(3) in lawful rodeo exhibitions, State or county fair
exhibitions, or other similar exhibitions;
(4) in lawful scientific or agricultural research;
(5) while undergoing an examination, test, treatment, or
operation for individualized veterinary purposes to improve the
well-being of the covered animal; or
(6) in the case of a pig during pregnancy, during the
seven-day period immediately before the date on which the pig
is reasonably expected to give birth.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``covered animal'' means any pig during
pregnancy, calf raised for veal, or egg-laying hen used or
intended for use in food production.
(2) The term ``fully extend all limbs'', with respect to a
covered animal, means the ability of the covered animal to
fully extend all limbs without touching the side of an
enclosure, including, in the case of egg-laying hens, fully
spreading both wings without touching the side of an enclosure
or other egg-laying hens.
(3) The term ``turn around freely'', with respect to a
covered animal, means the ability of the covered animal to turn
in a complete circle without any impediment, including a
tether, and without touching the side of an enclosure.
(e) Effect on Other Laws.--Nothing in this section 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. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect on the date that is two years after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to House Oversight and Government Reform
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.
Referred to House Agriculture
Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
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