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 deter-
mined 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. 
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 
working conditions for persons engaged in the ani-
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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 more humanely. 
(b) DECLARATION OF POLICY.—It is the policy of the 
United States that the raising of livestock, including pigs, 
cattle, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, goats, horses, 
mules, sheep, rabbits, ostriches, emus, rheas, and other 
non-aquatic animals used, or intended for use, as food or 
fiber or to produce food or fiber, shall be carried out only 
by methods that promote animal welfare. 
SEC. 3. HUMANE METHODS FOR FEDERAL PROCUREMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Government may not 
purchase any product derived from a covered animal used 
or intended for use as food or fiber or to produce food 
or fiber 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 method of rais-
ing such covered animal provides— 
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(1) adequate shelter which allows sufficient 
space for the covered animal to stand, lie down, get 
up, walk, move his or her head freely, rest, and turn 
around completely and fully extend all limbs or 
wings without touching any part of an enclosure; 
(2) daily access to adequate food and water suf-
ficient to ensure the health and well-being of the 
covered animal without forced feeding or feed with-
drawal; and 
(3) adequate veterinary care, including prompt 
treatment or humane euthanasia of a sick or injured 
covered animal. 
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; 
or 
(4) while undergoing an examination, test, 
treatment, or operation for veterinary purposes to 
improve the well-being of such covered animal. 
SEC. 5. COVERED ANIMAL DEFINED. 
In this Act, the term ‘‘covered animal’’ means any 
non-aquatic farm animal, including a pig, head of cattle, 
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chicken, turkey, duck, goose, goat, horse, mule, sheep, rab-
bit, ostrich, emu, or rhea. 
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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