I 

109TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 5557 

To promote the humane treatment of farm animals. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 8, 2006 

Mr. SHAYS (for himself and Mr. DEFAZIO) introduced the following bill; which 

was referred to the Committee on Government Reform, and in addition 

to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 

as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

A BILL 

To promote the humane treatment of farm animals. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Farm Animal Steward5 ship Purchasing Act’’. 

6 SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF POLICY. 

7 (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 

8 (1) More humane treatment of livestock mini9 mizes needless suffering, results in safer and better 

10 working conditions for persons engaged in the aniVerDate Aug 31 2005 02:27 Jun 10, 2006 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H5557.IH H5557

jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with BILLS
2 

•HR 5557 IH

1 mal agricultural industry, brings about improvement 

2 of products, and generates other benefits for pro3 ducers, processors, consumers, public health, and the 

4 environment, which expedite an orderly flow of live5 stock products in interstate and foreign commerce. 

6 (2) The Federal Government can lead by exam7 ple in the marketplace and encourage more humane 

8 practices by purchasing products derived from live9 stock raised more humanely. 

10 (b) DECLARATION OF POLICY.—It is the policy of the 

11 United States that the raising of livestock, including pigs, 

12 cattle, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, goats, horses, 

13 mules, sheep, rabbits, ostriches, emus, rheas, and other 

14 non-aquatic animals used, or intended for use, as food or 

15 fiber or to produce food or fiber, shall be carried out only 

16 by methods that promote animal welfare. 

17 SEC. 3. HUMANE METHODS FOR FEDERAL PROCUREMENT. 

18 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Government may not 

19 purchase any product derived from a covered animal used 

20 or intended for use as food or fiber or to produce food 

21 or fiber unless such covered animal is raised in compliance 

22 with subsection (b). 

23 (b) COMPLIANCE.—A covered animal is raised in 

24 compliance with this subsection only if the method of rais25 ing such covered animal provides— 


jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with BILLS
3 

•HR 5557 IH

1 (1) adequate shelter which allows sufficient 

2 space for the covered animal to stand, lie down, get 

3 up, walk, move his or her head freely, rest, and turn 

4 around completely and fully extend all limbs or 

5 wings without touching any part of an enclosure; 

6 (2) daily access to adequate food and water suf7 ficient to ensure the health and well-being of the 

8 covered animal without forced feeding or feed with9 drawal; and 

10 (3) adequate veterinary care, including prompt 

11 treatment or humane euthanasia of a sick or injured 

12 covered animal. 

13 SEC. 4. EXEMPTIONS. 

14 Nothing in this Act shall apply to a covered animal— 

15 (1) during lawful transport; 

16 (2) in lawful rodeo exhibitions, State or county 

17 fair exhibitions, or other similar exhibitions; 

18 (3) in lawful scientific or agricultural research; 

19 or 

20 (4) while undergoing an examination, test, 

21 treatment, or operation for veterinary purposes to 

22 improve the well-being of such covered animal. 

23 SEC. 5. COVERED ANIMAL DEFINED. 

24 In this Act, the term ‘‘covered animal’’ means any 

25 non-aquatic farm animal, including a pig, head of cattle, 


jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with BILLS
4 

•HR 5557 IH

1 chicken, turkey, duck, goose, goat, horse, mule, sheep, rab2 bit, ostrich, emu, or rhea. 

3 SEC. 6. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS. 

4 Nothing in this Act shall modify, limit, or repeal any 

5 law in effect upon the date of the enactment of this Act 

6 or preempt any State or local law. 

7 SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. 

8 This Act shall take effect on the date that is two 

9 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 

Æ 


jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with BILLS