HB 1522 – AS INTRODUCED
2008 SESSION
08/04
HOUSE BILL 1522
AN ACT relative to care standards for farm animals.
SPONSORS: Rep. Vaillancourt, Hills 15; Rep. Gile, Merr 10; Rep. McCarthy, Rock 5; Rep. Skinder, Sull 1; Sen. Roberge, Dist 9
COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture
This bill prohibits the confinement of farm animals in such a way that they cannot move freely.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
08-2181
08/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eight
AN ACT relative to care standards for farm animals.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Purpose. The purpose of this subdivision is to prohibit the cruel confinement of farm animals in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs.
2 New Subdivision; Proper Care for Farm Animals. Amend RSA 435 by inserting after section 41 the following new subdivision:
435:42 Definitions. In this subdivision:
I. “Calf raised for veal” means any calf of the bovine species kept for the purpose of producing the food product described as veal.
II. “Covered animal” means any pig during pregnancy, calf raised for veal, or egg-laying hen who is kept on a farm.
III. “Egg-laying hen” means any female domesticated chicken, turkey, duck, goose, or guinea fowl kept for the purpose of egg production.
IV. “Enclosure” means any cage, crate, or other structure, including what is commonly described as a “gestation crate” for pigs, a “veal crate” for calves, or a “battery cage” for egg-laying hens, used to confine a covered animal.
V. “Farm” means the land, building, support facilities, and other equipment that are wholly or partially used for the commercial production of animals or animal products used for food or fiber, and does not include live animal markets.
VI. “Fully extending its limbs” means fully extending all limbs without touching the side of an enclosure, including, in the ease of egg-laying hens, fully spreading both wings without touching the side of an enclosure or other egg-laying liens.
VII. “Person” means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, corporation, estate, trust, receiver, or syndicate.
VIII. “Pig during pregnancy” means any pregnant pig of the porcine species kept for the primary purpose of breeding.
IX. “Turning around freely” means turning in a complete circle without any impediment, including a tether, and without touching the side of an enclosure.
435:43 Prohibitions, A person shall not tether or confine any covered animal, on a farm, for all or the majority of any day, in a manner that prevents such animal from:
I. Lying down, standing up, and fully extending its limbs; and
II. Turning around freely.
435:44 Exceptions. This subdivision shall not apply:
I. During scientific or agricultural research.
II. During examination, testing, individual treatment or operation for veterinary purposes.
III. During transportation.
IV. During rodeo exhibitions, state or county fair exhibitions, 4-H-1 programs, and similar exhibitions.
V. During the slaughter of a covered animal in accordance with the provisions of RSA 427 relating to humane methods of slaughter, and other applicable law and regulations.
VI. To a pig during the 7-day period prior to the pig’s expected date of giving birth.
435:45 Enforcement. Any person who violates any provision of this subdivision shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000, or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed 180 days, or both.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2015.