CHAPTER 316

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:

C.4:2-17 Ostrich, emu, rhea designated agricultured livestock.

    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.

    Approved January 8, 1998.