ASSEMBLY, No. 2269

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED JULY 18, 1996

 

 

By Assemblyman GIBSON, Assemblywoman BARK, Assemblymen Lance, Bodine, and Assemblywoman Myers

 

 

An Act concerning the designation of certain birds as agricultural livestock and supplementing Title 4 of the Revised Statutes.

 

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1. Notwithstanding any law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the ostrich, emu, and rhea, shall be designated as agricultural livestock and shall be subject to the laws, rules and regulations governing the importation, care and breeding of that type of animal in the State. Nothing in this section or in any other law, rule or regulation, including the "Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act," P.L.1973, c.309 (C.23:2A-1 et seq.) shall be construed to classify the ostrich, emu, and rhea as exotic animals or wildlife.

 

    2. The Secretary of Agriculture may adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), in order to effectuate the purposes of this act.

 

    3. This act shall take effect on the 60th day following enactment.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This bill would designate the ostrich, emu, and rhea as agricultural livestock, subject to regulations by the Departments of Agriculture and Health. Currently, these birds are considered an "exotic species," and their possession is regulated by the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife in the Department of Environmental Protection. The bill also would permit the Secretary of Agriculture to adopt rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.

 

 

                             

Designates certain birds as agricultural livestock.