What's happening
This bill makes it illegal to force-feed birds for the purpose of enlarging their livers in New York State.
Why it matters
Addresses animal welfare concerns. By specifically prohibiting the force-feeding of birds to enlarge their livers, the bill targets practices widely criticized as cruel, such as those used in foie gras production, aligning state law with evolving ethical standards around the treatment of animals.
Creates clear legal consequences. The bill makes force-feeding birds for liver enlargement a class A misdemeanor, meaning violators could face significant fines or jail time, signaling the state's seriousness in enforcing animal cruelty laws.
Impacts agricultural and food industries. If enacted, this legislation could affect businesses within New York that produce or sell products made from force-fed birds, potentially changing supply chains and marketplace offerings, and influencing consumer choices.
Reflects broader societal values. The amendment responds to ongoing debates about humane food production and could inspire similar efforts in other states, showcasing New York's leadership in animal rights legislation.
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Ban Force-Feeding Birds
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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History
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Ban Force-Feeding Birds
In Senate Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Tony Avella
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6925
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 24, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. CURRAN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to making it unlawful to force feed birds under certain circumstances
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The opening paragraph of section 353 of the agriculture and markets law, as amended by chapter 523 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as follows:
A person who overdrives, overloads, tortures or cruelly beats or unjustifiably injures, maims, mutilates or kills any animal, whether wild or tame, and whether belonging to himself, herself or to another, or deprives any animal of necessary sustenance, food or drink, or force feeds a bird, by hand or machine, for the purpose of fatty enlargement of such bird's liver, or neglects or refuses to furnish it such sustenance or drink, or causes, procures or permits any animal to be overdriven, overloaded, tortured, cruelly beaten, or unjustifiably injured, maimed, mutilated or killed, or to be deprived of necessary food or drink, or who wilfully sets on foot, instigates, engages in, or in any way furthers any act of cruelty to any animal, or any act tending to produce such cruelty, is guilty of a class A misdemeanor and for purposes of paragraph (b) of subdivision one of section 160.10 of the criminal procedure law, shall be treated as a misdemeanor defined in the penal law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00621-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.