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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
live bird markets; state veterinarian
Purpose
Requires each live bird market to register with the Arizona State Veterinarian and declares that the regulation of live bird markets is a matter of statewide concern.
Background
The Associate Director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture, with the approval of the Director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture, must employ a skilled veterinarian who is a graduate of a recognized school of veterinary medicine and licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Arizona to be the State Veterinarian (A.R.S. § 3-1211). The State Veterinarian's Office watches over four areas: 1) regulation of the importation of animals; 2) control and eradication of livestock diseases; 3) regulation of fish farming, transporting and processing; and 4) emergency response (SVO).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees the low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) prevention and control program which was developed as a cooperative effort by state veterinarians, industry representatives and other parties associated with poultry and poultry health. The LPAI program is a voluntary measure for states that is designed to enhance state programs and help states prevent LPAI in the live bird markets. The LPAI program requires all live bird markets to be licensed or registered by its local state and comply with all program requirements. Live bird markets must also comply with all other applicable animal and public health laws and regulations, including state environmental laws, city or county sanitation requirements, public health regulations and the federal Poultry Products Inspection Act. Information required for a live bird market to become licensed or registered includes :1) business name, premises address, telephone number and email address; 2) owner’s name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address; 3) hours of operation; 4) global positioning system location; 5) other live bird market facilities under the same ownership, including dealerships, bird transportation businesses and commercial poultry operations; and 6) a list of all avian and non-avian species marketed (USDA).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires each live bird market to register with the State Veterinarian.
2. Declares that the regulation of live bird markets is not subject to further regulation by a county, city, town or other political subdivision of Arizona.
3. Preempts further regulation of live bird markets by a county, city, town or other political subdivision of the state.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 14, 2025
SB/SN/slp