Humane Transport of Farmed Animals

Summary#

This bill would change two federal laws about moving farm animals. It directs the Secretary of Transportation, working with the Secretary of Agriculture, to develop an enforcement mechanism within 180 days to inspect or investigate vehicles, vessels, and records of carriers that transport animals. The Secretaries would also be able to make rules, orders, or guidance needed to carry out those inspections. The bill adds a rule to the Animal Health Protection Act that prohibits moving livestock across state lines if they are "unfit to travel." The bill defines "unfit to travel" by referring to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Article 7.3.7(3) and lists examples such as animals that are sick, injured, weak, unable to stand unaided, blind in both eyes, newborn with unhealed navels, near the end of pregnancy, recently given birth traveling without offspring, or in poor body condition for expected climate. There is an exception allowing interstate movement for the purpose of providing veterinary care.

What it means for you#

• Carriers (rail, express, common carriers), vessel owners or masters, and others who move livestock may be subject to inspections of vehicles, vessels, and transport records.
• Transporters and animal owners must not move livestock across state lines if the animals meet the bill's definition of "unfit to travel."
• The Department of Transportation and the Department of Agriculture would write rules and guidance to enforce these requirements.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on the bill's costs, budgetary effects, or funding for implementing inspections and rulemaking.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.