SB2943

Report Title:

Susceptible Species; Quarantine

 

Description:

Authorizes quarantine of all species susceptible to disease.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2943
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to susceptible species.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that dairy, beef, pork, egg, and poultry production are significant contributors to diversified agriculture in Hawaii. The livestock industries are integral parts of Hawaii’s economy and culture, generating $70,000,000 in farm gate value alone and contributing to the undeveloped vistas appreciated throughout the State.

The legislature realizes that Hawaii’s livestock and poultry industries could be severely impacted by the introduction of highly contagious animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease, classical swine fever, avian influenza, and exotic Newcastle’s disease circulating worldwide. It is recognized that the authority to quickly and effectively control and eradicate such diseases is necessary to reduce losses and minimize adverse consequences to State and national livestock industries. Additional critical actions to prevent the spread of a highly contagious disease agent include the proper disposal of animal carcasses and disinfection of premises and affected materials. In the case of certain highly contagious foreign animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease, authority to immediately eliminate susceptible species in a buffer zone around an affected area is critical.

In addition to affecting livestock, an outbreak of a highly contagious animal disease could directly affect wildlife by causing clinical disease or death. Equally significant is the probability that the establishment of a highly contagious animal disease in Hawaii’s wildlife could heavily impact disease control programs and make it virtually impossible for livestock and poultry producers to continue business. Therefore, control measures may be required for wildlife in an infected area or surrounding buffer zone if wildlife is identified as a risk factor for disease spread. Such decisions regarding wildlife action would be made by agreement between the department agriculture and wildlife management agencies.

The purpose of this Act is to authorize the department of agriculture to quarantine all animals infected, exposed, or susceptible to any contagious, infectious, or communicable disease, and destroy them, when in the opinion of the department such measures are necessary to prevent the spread of the diseases or agents harmful to livestock or public health.

In addition, this Act requires that animal carcasses and hides are properly disposed of and that affected premises and materials are adequately disinfected.
SECTION 2. Section 142-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§142-6 Quarantine. The department of agriculture may quarantine any [domestic] animal known to be affected with [or to have been], exposed to, or susceptible to, any contagious, infectious, or communicable disease, and destroy the same, when in the opinion of the department[,] such measure is necessary to prevent the spread of the disease, and [provide for] require the proper disposition of its hide and carcass; and [disinfect] require disinfection of the premises [where the disease may have existed.] and materials contaminated by or exposed to disease."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________