---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 8306"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "8306"
heading: "Seizure, quarantine, and disposal"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/8306"
units:
  - "Chapter 109 — Animal Health Protection"
---

# §8306. Seizure, quarantine, and disposal

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) may hold, seize, quarantine, treat, destroy, dispose of, or take other remedial action with respect to—
  - (1) any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1) or progeny of any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1), [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), or [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11) that—
    - (A) is moving or has been moved in [interstate commerce](/usc/7/8302.md?p=9) or has been imported and entered; and
    - (B) the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) has reason to believe may carry, may have carried, or may have been affected with or exposed to any [pest](/usc/7/8302.md?p=13) or [disease](/usc/7/8302.md?p=3) of [livestock](/usc/7/8302.md?p=10) at the time of movement or that is otherwise in violation of [this chapter](/usc/7/8302.md?p=16);
  - (2) any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1) or progeny of any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1), [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), or [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11) that is moving or is being handled, or has moved or has been handled, in [interstate commerce](/usc/7/8302.md?p=9) in violation of [this chapter](/usc/7/8302.md?p=16);
  - (3) any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1) or progeny of any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1), [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), or [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11) that has been imported, and is moving or is being handled or has moved or has been handled, in violation of [this chapter](/usc/7/8302.md?p=16); or
  - (4) any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1) or progeny of any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1), [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), or [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11) that the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) finds is not being maintained, or has not been maintained, in accordance with any post-importation quarantine, post-importation condition, post-movement quarantine, or post-movement condition in accordance with [this chapter](/usc/7/8302.md?p=16).
- (b) **Extraordinary emergencies—**
  - (1) **In general—** Subject to [paragraph (2)](#b-2), if the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) determines that an extraordinary emergency exists because of the presence in the [United States](/usc/7/8302.md?p=17) of a [pest](/usc/7/8302.md?p=13) or [disease](/usc/7/8302.md?p=3) of [livestock](/usc/7/8302.md?p=10) and that the presence of the [pest](/usc/7/8302.md?p=13) or [disease](/usc/7/8302.md?p=3) threatens the [livestock](/usc/7/8302.md?p=10) of the [United States](/usc/7/8302.md?p=17), the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) may—
    - (A) hold, seize, treat, apply other remedial actions to, destroy (including preventative slaughter), or otherwise dispose of, any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1), [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), [facility](/usc/7/8302.md?p=6), or [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11) if the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) determines the action is necessary to prevent the dissemination of the [pest](/usc/7/8302.md?p=13) or [disease](/usc/7/8302.md?p=3); and
    - (B) prohibit or restrict the movement or use within a [State](/usc/7/8302.md?p=15), or any portion of a [State](/usc/7/8302.md?p=15) of any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1) or [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11), or [facility](/usc/7/8302.md?p=6) if the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the dissemination of the [pest](/usc/7/8302.md?p=13) or [disease](/usc/7/8302.md?p=3).
  - (2) **State action—**
    - (A) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) may take action in a [State](/usc/7/8302.md?p=15) under this subsection only on finding that measures being taken by the [State](/usc/7/8302.md?p=15) are inadequate to control or eradicate the [pest](/usc/7/8302.md?p=13) or [disease](/usc/7/8302.md?p=3), after review and consultation with—
      - “(i) [^1] the Governor or an appropriate [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1) health official of the [State](/usc/7/8302.md?p=15); or
      - “(ii) [^1] in the case of any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1), [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), [facility](/usc/7/8302.md?p=6), or [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11) under the jurisdiction of an [Indian tribe](/usc/7/8302.md?p=8), the head of the [Indian tribe](/usc/7/8302.md?p=8).
    - (B) **Notice—** Subject to [subparagraph (C)](#b-2-C), before any action is taken in a [State](/usc/7/8302.md?p=15) under [subparagraph (A)](#b-2-A), the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) shall—
      - (i) notify the Governor, an appropriate [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1) health official of the [State](/usc/7/8302.md?p=15), or head of the [Indian tribe](/usc/7/8302.md?p=8) of the proposed action;
      - (ii) issue a public announcement of the proposed action; and
      - (iii) publish in the Federal Register—
        - (I) the findings of the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14);
        - (II) a description of the proposed action; and
        - (III) a statement of the reasons for the proposed action.
    - (C) **Notice after action—** If it is not practicable to publish in the Federal Register the information required under [subparagraph (B)(iii)](#b-2-B-iii) before taking action under [subparagraph (A)](#b-2-A), the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) shall publish the information as soon as practicable, but not later than 10 business days, after commencement of the action.
- (c) **Quarantine, disposal, or other remedial action—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14), in writing, may order the owner of any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1), [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), [facility](/usc/7/8302.md?p=6), or [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11) referred to in subsection [(a)](#a) or [(b)](#b) to maintain in quarantine, dispose of, or take other remedial action with respect to the [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1), [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), [facility](/usc/7/8302.md?p=6), or [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11), in a manner determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14).
  - (2) **Failure to comply with orders—** If the owner fails to comply with the order of the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14), the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) may—
    - (A) seize, quarantine, dispose of, or take other remedial action with respect to the [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1), [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), [facility](/usc/7/8302.md?p=6), or [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11) under subsection [(a)](#a) or [(b)](#b); and
    - (B) recover from the owner the costs of any care, handling, disposal, or other remedial action incurred by the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) in connection with the seizure, quarantine, disposal, or other remedial action.
- (d) **Compensation—**
  - (1) **In general—** Except as provided in [paragraph (3)](#d-3), the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) shall compensate the owner of any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1), [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), [facility](/usc/7/8302.md?p=6), or [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11) that the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) requires to be destroyed under this section.
  - (2) **Amount—**
    - (A) **In general—** Subject to subparagraphs [(B)](#d-2-B) and [(C)](#d-2-C), the compensation shall be based on the fair [market](/usc/7/198.md?p=1) value, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14), of the destroyed [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1), [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), [facility](/usc/7/8302.md?p=6), or [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11).
    - (B) **Limitation—** Compensation paid any owner under this subsection shall not exceed the difference between—
      - (i) the fair [market](/usc/7/198.md?p=1) value of the destroyed [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1), [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), [facility](/usc/7/8302.md?p=6), or [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11); and
      - (ii) any compensation received by the owner from a [State](/usc/7/8302.md?p=15) or other source for the destroyed [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1), [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), [facility](/usc/7/8302.md?p=6), or [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11).
    - (C) **Reviewability—** The determination by the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) of the amount to be paid under this subsection shall be final and not subject to judicial review or review by any officer or employee of the Federal Government other than the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) or the designee of the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14).
  - (3) **Exceptions—** No payment shall be made by the [Secretary](/usc/7/8302.md?p=14) under this subsection for—
    - (A) any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1), [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), [facility](/usc/7/8302.md?p=6), or [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11) that has been moved or handled by the owner in violation of an agreement for the control and eradication of [diseases](/usc/7/8302.md?p=3) or [pests](/usc/7/8302.md?p=13) or in violation of [this chapter](/usc/7/8302.md?p=16);
    - (B) any progeny of any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1) or [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), which [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1) or [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2) has been moved or handled by the owner of the [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1) or [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2) in violation of [this chapter](/usc/7/8302.md?p=16);
    - (C) any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1), [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), or [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11) that is refused entry under [this chapter](/usc/7/8302.md?p=16); or
    - (D) any [animal](/usc/7/8302.md?p=1), [article](/usc/7/8302.md?p=2), [facility](/usc/7/8302.md?p=6), or [means of conveyance](/usc/7/8302.md?p=11) that becomes or has become affected with or exposed to any [pest](/usc/7/8302.md?p=13) or [disease](/usc/7/8302.md?p=3) of [livestock](/usc/7/8302.md?p=10) because of a violation of an agreement for the control and eradication of [diseases](/usc/7/8302.md?p=3) or [pests](/usc/7/8302.md?p=13) or a violation of [this chapter](/usc/7/8302.md?p=16) by the owner.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Opening quotation marks probably should not appear.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 107–171, title X, § 10407, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 498; Pub. L. 110–234, title XI, § 11011(1), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1360; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XI, § 11011(1), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2121.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (d)(3), was in the original “this subtitle”, meaning subtitle E (§§ 10401–10418) of title X of Pub. L. 107–171, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 494, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of subtitle E to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 8301 of this title and Tables.

### Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

### Amendments

2008—Subsec. (d)(2)(C). Pub. L. 110–246, § 11011(1), struck out “of longer than 60 days” after “or review”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of this title.

### Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of the Secretary of Agriculture relating to agricultural import and entry inspection activities under this chapter to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 231, 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.