§ 1901. — Findings and declaration of policy.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC1901]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 48--HUMANE METHODS OF LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER
Sec. 1901. Findings and declaration of policy
The Congress finds that the use of humane methods in the slaughter
of livestock prevents needless suffering; results in safer and better
working conditions for persons engaged in the slaughtering industry;
brings about improvement of products and economies in slaughtering
operations; and produces other benefits for producers, processors, and
consumers which tend to expedite an orderly flow of livestock and
livestock products in interstate and foreign commerce. It is therefore
declared to be the policy of the United States that the slaughtering of
livestock and the handling of livestock in connection with slaughter
shall be carried out only by humane methods.
(Pub. L. 85-765, Sec. 1, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 862.)
Short Title of 1978 Amendment
For citation of Pub. L. 95-445, Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1069, as the
``Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1978'', see Short Title of 1978
Amendment note set out under section 601 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.
Enforcement of Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958
Pub. L. 107-171, title X, Sec. 10305, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 493,
provided that:
``(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Secretary of Agriculture should--
``(1) continue tracking the number of violations of Public Law
85-765 (7 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.; commonly known as the `Humane Methods
of Slaughter Act of 1958') and report the results and relevant
trends annually to Congress; and
``(2) fully enforce Public Law 85-765 by ensuring that humane
methods in the slaughter of livestock--
``(A) prevent needless suffering;
``(B) result in safer and better working conditions for
persons engaged in slaughtering operations;
``(C) bring about improvement of products and economies in
slaughtering operations; and
``(D) produce other benefits for producers, processors, and
consumers that tend to expedite an orderly flow of livestock and
livestock products in interstate and foreign commerce.
``(b) United States Policy.--It is the policy of the United States
that the slaughtering of livestock and the handling of livestock in
connection with slaughter shall be carried out only by humane methods,
as provided by Public Law 85-765.''
Commercial Transportation of Equine for Slaughter
Pub. L. 104-127, title IX, subtitle A, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1184,
provided that:
``SEC. 901. FINDINGS.
``Because of the unique and special needs of equine being
transported to slaughter, Congress finds that it is appropriate for the
Secretary of Agriculture to issue guidelines for the regulation of the
commercial transportation of equine for slaughter by persons regularly
engaged in that activity within the United States.
``SEC. 902. DEFINITIONS.
``In this subtitle:
``(1) Commercial transportation.--The term `commercial
transportation' means the regular operation for profit of a
transport business that uses trucks, tractors, trailers, or
semitrailers, or any combination thereof, propelled or drawn by
mechanical power on any highway or public road.
``(2) Equine for slaughter.--The term `equine for slaughter'
means any member of the Equidae family being transferred to a
slaughter facility, including an assembly point, feedlot, or
stockyard.
``(3) Person.--The term `person'--
``(A) means any individual, partnership, corporation, or
cooperative association that regularly engages in the commercial
transportation of equine for slaughter; but
``(B) does not include any individual or other entity
referred to in subparagraph (A) that occasionally transports
equine for slaughter incidental to the principal activity of the
individual or other entity in production agriculture.
``SEC. 903. REGULATION OF COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATION OF EQUINE FOR
SLAUGHTER.
``(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations,
the Secretary of Agriculture may issue guidelines for the regulation of
the commercial transportation of equine for slaughter by persons
regularly engaged in that activity within the United States.
``(b) Issues for Review.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary of Agriculture shall review the food, water, and rest provided
to equine for slaughter in transit, the segregation of stallions from
other equine during transit, and such other issues as the Secretary
considers appropriate.
``(c) Additional Authority.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary of Agriculture may--
``(1) require any person to maintain such records and reports as
the Secretary considers necessary;
``(2) conduct such investigations and inspections as the
Secretary considers necessary; and
``(3) establish and enforce appropriate and effective civil
penalties.
``SEC. 904. LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY TO EQUINE FOR SLAUGHTER.
``Nothing in this subtitle authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture
to regulate the routine or regular transportation, to slaughter or
elsewhere, of--
``(1) livestock other than equine; or
``(2) poultry.
``SEC. 905. EFFECTIVE DATE.
``This subtitle shall become effective on the first day of the first
month that begins 30 days or more after the date of enactment of this
Act [Apr. 4, 1996].''
