BILL NUMBER: S9249
SPONSOR: HINCHEY
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to domestic
animal health permits
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:
The purpose of the proposed legislation is to clarify that individuals
or other entities that rescue domestic animals, including livestock and
horses, are required to hold a Domestic Animal Health Permit (DAHP).
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The term "rescue" is defined and clarifies that individuals and other
entities that are participating in the act of rescuing domestic animals,
including cattle, swine, horses, cervids, camelids, sheep, or goats,
must have a Domestic Animal Health Permit.
The term "deer" is replaced with "cervid" to include all members of the
cervidae family.
The term "poultry transporter" is amended to include all individuals
that transport poultry to live poultry markets, not just those that
transport poultry as a business enterprise.
The term "official" is added to the term "ear tag" to indicate a unique,
tamper -resistant device approved by the United States Department of
Agriculture.
JUSTIFICATION:
The Department proposes to amend Article 5, § 90a-h to clarify the
requirement for each livestock and equine rescue facility to hold a
Domestic Animal Health Permit. The volume of animal movements through
these facilities and the act of comingling animals from various sources
increases the risk for disease transmission, including diseases of
public health and economic significance. Animal identification and
recordkeeping are critical components of disease traceability. As DAHP
holders, these rescue facilities are responsible for identifying animals
(as appropriate for the species) and keeping records of all transactions
including adoptions, transfers, purchases, sales, leases, sponsorships,
or gifts of horses and/or livestock accepted into their facilities. More
than 30 rescue facilities currently hold a DAHP.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Nominal.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately upon adoption.
Statutes affected: S9249: 90-a agriculture and markets law, 90-d agriculture and markets law