I 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 1726 

To promote more humane treatment of farm animals. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 28, 2007 

Mr. DEFAZIO (for himself, Mr. SHAYS, Mr. KUCINICH, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. 

FRANK of Massachusetts, and Mr. MORAN of Virginia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and 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 more 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 

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1 working conditions for persons engaged in the ani2 mal agricultural industry, brings about improvement 

3 of products, and generates other benefits for pro4 ducers, processors, consumers, public health, and the 

5 environment, which expedite an orderly flow of live6 stock products in interstate and foreign commerce. 

7 (2) The Federal Government can lead by exam8 ple in the marketplace and encourage more humane 

9 practices by purchasing products derived from live10 stock raised in compliance with this Act. 

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

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

13 cattle, bison, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, goats, sheep, 

14 rabbits, ostriches, emus, rheas, and other non-aquatic ani15 mals used, or intended for use, for food production shall 

16 be consistent with the basic principles of animal welfare. 

17 SEC. 3. MINIMUM COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR FED18 ERAL PROCUREMENT. 

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

20 purchase any food product derived from a covered animal 

21 unless such covered animal is raised in compliance with 

22 subsection (b). 

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

24 compliance with this subsection only if the animal is— 

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1 (1) provided adequate space to stand, lie down, 

2 move his or her head freely, turn around completely, 

3 and fully extend all limbs or wings without touching 

4 any part of an enclosure or another animal; 

5 (2) provided daily access to adequate food and 

6 water sufficient to ensure the health and well-being 

7 of the covered animal without forced feeding or feed 

8 withdrawal; 

9 (3) provided adequate veterinary care, including 

10 prompt treatment or humane euthanasia of a sick or 

11 injured covered animal; and 

12 (4) in the case of a covered animal that is a 

13 mammal, the offspring of a dam that was kept in 

14 compliance with paragraphs (1) through (3) during 

15 the pregancy yielding such offspring. 

16 SEC. 4. EXEMPTIONS. 

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

18 (1) during lawful transport; 

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

20 fair exhibitions, or other similar exhibitions; 

21 (3) in lawful scientific or agricultural research; 

22 (4) while undergoing an examination, test, 

23 treatment, or operation for individualized veterinary 

24 purposes to improve the well-being of such covered 

25 animal; or 

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1 (5) in the case of a sow, during the seven day 

2 period prior to the date the sow is expected to give 

3 birth. 

4 SEC. 5. COVERED ANIMAL DEFINED. 

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

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

7 head of bison, chicken, turkey, duck, goose, goat, sheep, 

8 rabbit, ostrich, emu, or rhea used or intended for use in 

9 food production. 

10 SEC. 6. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS. 

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

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

13 or preempt any State or local law. 

14 SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. 

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

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

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