NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A10399
SPONSOR: Rosenthal L 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 SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one amends the agriculture and markets law by adding a new
section 96.
Section two 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 condi-
tions. Not only are these conditions cruel to the animals, they are
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:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
