Bill > H713

This bill proposes to establish a Livestock Care and Standards Board, comprised of thirteen members including the Commissioner of Agricultural Resources (who will chair the board), a veterinarian experienced with livestock, a representative from the Department of Public Health knowledgeable in zoonotic diseases and food safety, representatives from animal welfare organizations like the MSPCA and Animal Rescue League of Boston, agricultural organizations such as the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation and Northeast Organic Farming Association, representatives from family farms raising various livestock, a representative from a "Buy Local" organization, and a representative from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. This board will advise the Commissioner on ensuring the humane treatment and keeping of livestock, as well as the viability of related farms and businesses. The Commissioner will be empowered to create regulations and voluntary standards for the care of cattle, swine, poultry, and other livestock, but these must be approved by at least a two-thirds vote of the board, considering factors like animal health, safety, comfort, food safety, biosecurity, public health, and the financial impact on farms. Initially, the board will examine practices related to battery cage hen operations, swine gestation crates, and veal crates to determine if bans, regulations, or other measures are necessary, and will subsequently address other practices as requested by board members, with all meetings adhering to open public meeting laws and being held in various locations across the state.