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 fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Gov-
ernment 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 com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To promote more humane treatment of farm animals. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Farm Animal Steward-
ship Purchasing Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF POLICY. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) More humane treatment of livestock mini-
mizes needless suffering, results in safer and better 
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working conditions for persons engaged in the ani-
mal agricultural industry, brings about improvement 
of products, and generates other benefits for pro-
ducers, processors, consumers, public health, and the 
environment, which expedite an orderly flow of live-
stock products in interstate and foreign commerce. 
(2) The Federal Government can lead by exam-
ple in the marketplace and encourage more humane 
practices by purchasing products derived from live-
stock raised in compliance with this Act. 
(b) DECLARATION OF POLICY.—It is the policy of the 
United States that the raising of livestock, including pigs, 
cattle, bison, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, goats, sheep, 
rabbits, ostriches, emus, rheas, and other non-aquatic ani-
mals used, or intended for use, for food production shall 
be consistent with the basic principles of animal welfare. 
SEC. 3. MINIMUM COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR FED-
ERAL PROCUREMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Government may not 
purchase any food product derived from a covered animal 
unless such covered animal is raised in compliance with 
subsection (b). 
(b) COMPLIANCE.—A covered animal is raised in 
compliance with this subsection only if the animal is— 
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(1) provided adequate space to stand, lie down, 
move his or her head freely, turn around completely, 
and fully extend all limbs or wings without touching 
any part of an enclosure or another animal; 
(2) provided daily access to adequate food and 
water sufficient to ensure the health and well-being 
of the covered animal without forced feeding or feed 
withdrawal; 
(3) provided adequate veterinary care, including 
prompt treatment or humane euthanasia of a sick or 
injured covered animal; and 
(4) in the case of a covered animal that is a 
mammal, the offspring of a dam that was kept in 
compliance with paragraphs (1) through (3) during 
the pregancy yielding such offspring. 
SEC. 4. EXEMPTIONS. 
Nothing in this Act shall apply to a covered animal— 
(1) during lawful transport; 
(2) in lawful rodeo exhibitions, State or county 
fair exhibitions, or other similar exhibitions; 
(3) in lawful scientific or agricultural research; 
(4) while undergoing an examination, test, 
treatment, or operation for individualized veterinary 
purposes to improve the well-being of such covered 
animal; or 
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(5) in the case of a sow, during the seven day 
period prior to the date the sow is expected to give 
birth. 
SEC. 5. COVERED ANIMAL DEFINED. 
In this Act, the term ‘‘covered animal’’ means any 
non-aquatic farm animal, including a pig, head of cattle, 
head of bison, chicken, turkey, duck, goose, goat, sheep, 
rabbit, ostrich, emu, or rhea used or intended for use in 
food production. 
SEC. 6. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS. 
Nothing in this Act shall modify, limit, or repeal any 
law in effect upon the date of the enactment of this Act 
or preempt any State or local law. 
SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
This Act shall take effect on the date that is two 
years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
Æ 
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