12/7/2023 3:09 pm Date / Time filed with the Register of Regulations | VA.R. Document Number: R____-______ |
Virginia Register Publication Information
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Transmittal Sheet: Response to Petition for Rulemaking
Initial Agency Notice
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Agency Decision
Promulgating Board: | Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services |
Regulatory Coordinator: | Erin Williams (804)786-7157 erin.williams@vdacs.virginia.gov |
Agency Contact: | Dr. Carolynn Bissett Program Manager, Office of Veterinary Services (804)786-4560 Carolynn.Bissett@vdacs.virginia.gov |
Contact Address: | Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Oliver Hill Building 102 Governor Street Richmond, VA 23219 |
Chapter Affected: | |
2 vac 5 - : |
Statutory Authority: |
State: Federal: |
Date Petition Received | 08/07/2023 |
Petitioner | Animal Partisan |
Petitioner requests that the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services promulgate
regulations setting minimum standards of care for the transportation, handling, and
lairage of poultry prior to slaughter within the Commonwealth.
Agency Plan
The Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services will consider this request at its next
scheduled meeting following the public comment period. This meeting will occur on
December 7, 2023.
Publication Date | 08/28/2023 (comment period will also begin on this date) |
Comment End Date | 09/18/2023 |
Take no action
Agency Response Date | 12/07/2023 |
The Board of Agriculture and Consumer Serices (Board) voted to deny the petitioner's
request for rulemaking for the following reasons:
Many of the concerns and recommendations put forth by the petitioner are already addressed
through the poultry industry's implementation of audited welfare standards adopted
by the National Chicken Council, the National Turkey Federation, and the United Egg
Producers. Maintaining the health and well-being of flocks is a priority for the poultry
industry in order to deliver the best products and practices that meet consumers'
expectations.
In addition, Virginia already has enacted robust animal welfare laws that subject
perpetrators of animal cruelty to criminal prosecution. Prosecution for criminal animal
cruelty addresses many of the petitioner's concerns for inhumane handling of poultry
during transport and lairage.
Finally, promulgating the regulations that the petitioner suggests would negatively
impact interstate commerce between Virginia and the poultry industries of neighboring
states, such as West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and North Carolina. Because these
neighboring states have not promulgated similar regulations to those suggested by
the petitioner, adopting such regulations in Virginia would disrupt the ease of doing
business across state lines.