Bill > S05017

This bill prohibits the operation of establishments where animals or fowls are slaughtered or butchered for food, with several key provisions aimed at addressing potential public health risks and animal welfare concerns. Specifically, the bill instructs the commissioner of agriculture and markets to suspend and not issue any new licenses for slaughterhouse operations, effectively shutting down such establishments. Simultaneously, the bill establishes a seven-member task force composed of experts in infectious diseases, animal welfare, and veterinary medicine, appointed by various government leaders. This task force is charged with conducting a comprehensive examination of previously licensed slaughterhouse facilities, focusing on their potential impact on public health, safety, and animal welfare. The task force members will serve without compensation but will be reimbursed for necessary expenses and are required to submit a detailed report with findings and recommendations to state leadership within one year of their first meeting. The bill's rationale is rooted in concerns about zoonotic disease transmission, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and aims to temporarily halt slaughterhouse operations pending further scientific investigation. The bill explicitly clarifies that it applies only to live poultry and small animal slaughterhouses open to the public, and it takes effect immediately upon passage.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5017