Res 0012-2022

Whereas, Inspection reports by the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets obtained from the Humane Society of New York indicate ongoing health, safety and welfare problems at New York's live animal markets; and Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), zoonotic diseases are caused by harmful germs like viruses, bacteria and parasites, which are transmitted from animals to humans; and Whereas, According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, fatal diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the new coronavirus, COVID-19, are believed to have originated from live animal markets; and Whereas, New York City has over 80 live animal markets where members of the public can choose live animals, such as chickens and rabbits, who are then slaughtered while the customer waits, according the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals; and Whereas, New York City's live animal markets pose public health concerns, as some operate near schools, playgrounds and people's homes, despite New York State public health laws that prohibit new slaughterhouses from operating within 1,500 feet of a residential building; and Whereas, A.3629, introduced by Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal and its companion bill, S.3182, introduced by New York Senator Luis Sepulveda, would prohibit the operation of slaughterhouses as an emergency measure to stem the transmission of zoonotic diseases for their effect on public health and animal welfare; and Whereas, A primary focus of A.3629/S.3182 is to convene the "Task Force on Slaughterhouse Public Health and Safety and Animal Welfare," composed of experts in epidemiology, veterinary science and animal welfare, to determine the amount of regulation that will be needed to make slaughterhouses safe enough to operate; and Whereas, According to the CDC, the COVID-19 global pandemic has claimed over 835,000 lives in the United States; and Whereas, Further examination by infectious disease experts on the connection between zoonotic diseases and live animal markets will eliminate a potential avenue for the transmission of zoonotic diseases and the suffering it causes for human and animal welfare; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.3629/S.3182, prohibiting the operation of establishments where animals and fowls are slaughtered or butchered for food. Session 12 NC LS #4557 1/13/2021 Session 11 AH LS #6538/8131/14619/14881 1