7 U.S.C. §§ 1901–1906

(Pub. L. 85–765, § 1, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 862.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

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, § 10305, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 493, provided that: Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Agriculture should— 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 fully enforce Public Law 85–765 by ensuring that humane methods in the slaughter of livestock— prevent needless suffering; result in safer and better working conditions for persons engaged in slaughtering operations; bring about improvement of products and economies in slaughtering operations; and 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. 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: 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.

DEFINITIONS.“In this subtitle: 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. 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. Person.—The term ‘person’— means any individual, partnership, corporation, or cooperative association that regularly engages in the commercial transportation of equine for slaughter; but 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. REGULATION OF COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATION OF EQUINE FOR SLAUGHTER. 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. 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. Additional Authority.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Agriculture may— require any person to maintain such records and reports as the Secretary considers necessary; conduct such investigations and inspections as the Secretary considers necessary; and establish and enforce appropriate and effective civil penalties. 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— livestock other than equine; or poultry. 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].”

(Pub. L. 85–765, § 2, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 862; Pub. L. 95–445, § 5(a), Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1069.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1978—Par. (b). Pub. L. 95–445 inserted “and handling in connection with such slaughtering” at end.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–445 effective one year after Oct. 10, 1978, and nonapplicability during not to exceed additional 18 months in hardship cases, see sec. 7 of Pub. L. 95–445 set out as a note under section 603 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

Section, Pub. L. 85–765, § 3, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 862, related to limitations on Government procurement and price support, modifications during national emergency, and statements of eligibility.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of Repeal

Repeal effective one year after Oct. 10, 1978, and nonapplicability during not to exceed additional 18 months in hardship cases, see sec. 7 of Pub. L. 95–445 set out as an Effective Date of 1978 Amendment note under section 603 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

Contracts For or Procurement of Livestock Products During the Period From June 30, 1960, to August 30, 1960

Pub. L. 86–547, June 29, 1960, 74 Stat. 255, permitted any agency or instrumentality of the United States, during the period from June 30, 1960, to August 30, 1960, to contract for or procure livestock products produced or processed by a slaughterer or processor which slaughters or handles for slaughter livestock by methods other than those designated and approved by the Secretary of Agriculture if such slaughterer or processor has contracted for the purchase of the equipment necessary to enable him to adopt such methods but such equipment has not been delivered to him.

(Pub. L. 85–765, § 4, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 863; Pub. L. 95–445, § 5(b)–(e), Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1069.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1978—Par. (a). Pub. L. 95–445, § 5(d), inserted “and” after the semicolon at end.

Par. (b). Pub. L. 95–445, § 5(c), (e), struck out “for purposes of section 1903 of this title” before “180 days”, and substituted a period for the semicolon at end.

Par. (c). Pub. L. 95–445, § 5(b), repealed par. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–445 effective one year after Oct. 10, 1978, and nonapplicability during not to exceed additional 18 months in hardship cases, see sec. 7 of Pub. L. 95–445 set out as a note under section 603 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

Section, Pub. L. 85–765, § 5, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 863, related to establishment, composition, functions, compensation, meetings, and reports of advisory committees.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of Repeal

Repeal effective one year after Oct. 10, 1978, and nonapplicability during not to exceed additional 18 months in hardship cases, see sec. 7 of Pub. L. 95–445 set out as an Effective Date of 1978 Amendment note under section 603 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

(Pub. L. 85–765, § 6, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 864.)