PRINTER'S NO. 1677
No. 1335 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY CIVERA, BENNINGTON, CAPPELLI, CASORIO, CURRY,
DONATUCCI, GINGRICH, HARHART, HARPER, W. KELLER, LEACH,
NAILOR, PAYNE, PETRONE, PHILLIPS, READSHAW, REICHLEY, RUBLEY,
SONNEY, SWANGER, WALKO, WATSON, YOUNGBLOOD, SIPTROTH AND
MELIO, MAY 24, 2007
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
MAY 24, 2007
AN ACT
1 Preventing equine slaughter; conferring powers and duties upon
2 the Department of Agriculture; and providing for penalties.
3 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
4 hereby enacts as follows:
5 Section 1. Short title.
6 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Equine
7 Slaughter Prevention Act.
8 Section 2. Legislative findings and purpose.
9 Equines have served humans in a variety of ways throughout
10 history as a viable source of pleasure, transportation and
11 labor. Unlike other livestock, equines are not raised in the
12 United States for the purpose of human consumption. The purpose
13 of this act is to prevent equine slaughter.
14 Section 3. Definitions.
15 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
16 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
1 context clearly indicates otherwise:
2 "Department." The Department of Agriculture of the
3 Commonwealth.
4 "Equine." Belonging to the Equidae family that includes
5 horses, asses, mules, ponies and zebras.
6 "Equine flesh." The flesh of a dead equine, including the
7 animal's viscera, skin, hair, hooves and bones.
8 "Human consumption." The ingestion of a product by people as
9 a source of food.
10 "Slaughter." The killing and processing of an equine for
11 human consumption.
12 "Transport." The moving of an equine from one place to
13 another in a conveyance or other vehicle.
14 Section 4. Prohibitions.
15 The following are prohibited:
16 (1) The shipping, transport, delivery or donation of an
17 equine for the purpose of slaughter.
18 (2) The shipping, transport, delivery or donation of an
19 equine for the purpose of sale to a person who intends to
20 profit from slaughter of the equine.
21 (3) The sale, offer to sell, barter, purchase or
22 exhibition of an equine for slaughter.
23 (4) The donation or possession of equine flesh for the
24 purpose of sale or human consumption.
25 (5) The addition of equine flesh to any meat or meat
26 product that is sold for human consumption.
27 Section 5. Penalties.
28 Any person that violates a provision of this act commits a
29 misdemeanor of the third degree. Each violation shall constitute
30 a separate offense.
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1 Section 6. Enforcement.
2 The department shall enforce this act. The department may
3 issue rules and regulations as deemed necessary to carry out the
4 provisions of this act.
5 Section 20. Effective date.
6 This act shall take effect in 30 days.
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