Allows livestock owners to directly purchase killed rabies vaccine for the purpose of vaccinating livestock owned by such livestock owner

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the administration of rabies vaccine to livestock and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose or general idea of bill

To provide that any livestock owner may directly purchase killed rabies vaccine for the sole purpose of vaccinating livestock owned by him.

Summary of specific provisions

This bill adds a new section 89-a, allowing a livestock owner livestock owners to purchase killed rabies vaccine and administer the rabies vaccine to their livestock, provides that livestock vaccinated in this manner will not be considered vaccinated by any government entity; defines "livestock" for this purpose of this section.

Justification

Livestock owners in counties with a severe rabies outbreak want the security of having their livestock vaccinated against rabies. However, because New York State limits the purchase and administration of rabies vaccine to veterinarians only, the cost of vaccinating and entire herd is prohibitive.

Several states (including neighboring Pennsylvania and Vermont) allow farmers to purchase rabies vaccine which they administer to their own livestock.

This bill would provide livestock owners with the ability to purchase the vaccine and administer it to their own livestock.-

Prior legislative history

2007/08: A.1335-A/S.2425-A 2005/06: A.919/S.2538 2003/04: A.1822/S.186 2001/02: A.2687/S.534 1999/00: A.2864/S.2160 1997/98: A.3575/S.3904 1995/96: A.2174/S.4044

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately but sunsets in two years.