Prohibits the licensing of slaughterhouses within a fifteen hundred foot radius of a residential dwelling

1 Multi-sponsor

• Nancy Calhoun

BILL NUMBER:A9197

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to prohibiting the licensing of slaughterhouses within a fifteen hundred foot radius of a residential dwelling

Purpose of the bill

The bill would prohibit the licensing of any slaughterhouse in the general vicinity of residences.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends section 96-b of the agriculture and markets law relating to prohibiting in New York State, except in the city of New York, the licensing of slaughterhouses within a fifteen hundred foot radius of a residential home. This would not apply to any premise which has been continuously conducting business prior to the effective date.

Justification

Slaughterhouses have many negative environmental impacts including odor, air pollution, sludge and wastewater. Water usage can rise upwards of 200,000 gallons a day taxing nearby wells. The wastewa- ter and sludge from these plants consist of feces, blood and other potentially dangerous materials that could contaminate nearby residences and communities.

In order to prevent these facilities from being placed imprudently in residential New York City communities, the state passed a law in 2008 that put a 4 year moratorium on licensing a facility that is placed within 1,500 feet of a residence in the city of New York. This law extends the protection to the rest of the state and makes the restriction permanent.

Prior legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications for state

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.