BILL NUMBER: S5017
SPONSOR: SEPULVEDA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to prohib-
iting the operation of establishments where animals and/or fowls are
slaughtered and butchered for food
 
PURPOSE:
This bill will place a moratorium on the operation of live markets in
New York State and establish a task force to examine the public health
risks and animal welfare concerns they present.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 sets forth the legislative intent.
Section 2 amends the agriculture and markets law by adding a new section
96-ee.
Section 3 establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Live markets allow customers to shop directly from cages of live
animals, which are then slaughtered and butchered on site. Inspection
reports and camera footage detail the deplorable conditions found in
these markets, and a lack of regulation and oversight have allowed these
conditions to persist despite the risk to public health. Many zoonotic
diseases, which originate in animals and are then transmitted to people,
such as SARS and H5N1, and most recently, COVID-19, have their origins
in live markets. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic there is a growing
movement among scientists, public health experts and animal welfare
advocates to close the markets worldwide.
Outside of the United States, live markets may sell monkeys, bats,
snakes and other exotic animals. Live markets in the United States,
including the 80+ live markets operating in densely populated residen-
tial areas in New York City, typically sell chickens, ducks, turkeys,
rabbits and other fowl as well as goats, sheep and cows. Regardless of
the species offered, the markets are potential vectors for the spread of
zoonotic disease. The crowding of multiple species, the sourcing of the
animals and the filthy conditions in which they are routinely kept in
and killed all create the opportunity for disease to spread, presenting
the risk of another global pandemic. Live markets in New York City have
been issued a litany of violations by the New York State Department of
Agriculture and Markets for offenses including leaving animal blood and
feces on public sidewalks, allowing grime to accumulate on butchering
equipment, and other unsanitary conditions. Not only are these condi-
tions cruel to the animals, but they are also hazardous to the health of
customers who buy their food at these markets.
This legislation will place a moratorium on the operation of live animal
markets in New York State and convene a task force to examine the public
health risks associated with their use and the animal cruelty concerns
they present.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.4311 of 2023-2024; Referred to Agriculture;
S.4311 of 2023-2024; Referred to Agriculture;
S. 3182 of 2021-22: Referred to Agriculture;
S. 8291 of 2020: Referred to Agriculture
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.