Overview
Title
To amend the Animal Welfare Act to include cold-blooded species as animals, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The "CARE Act" is a new rule that says cold-blooded creatures like lizards, frogs, and fish should be treated nicely, just like warm-blooded animals, when scientists study them or when they are shown in exhibits. But it doesn't cover all animals, like some pets used for research or farm animals like cows and chickens.
Summary AI
H.R. 9571, also known as the "Cold-blooded Animal Research and Exhibition Act" or the "CARE Act", seeks to amend the Animal Welfare Act to include certain cold-blooded species, such as reptiles, amphibians, and fish, under the definition of "animal." This change ensures these species receive similar protections during research, testing, and exhibition processes. The bill specifies that certain animals, like birds, rats, and mice bred for research, and livestock used for food and fiber, are not included under this definition. The proposal underscores the importance of animal welfare across a broader range of animal species.
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AnalysisAI
To amend the Animal Welfare Act to include cold-blooded species as animals, and for other purposes, H.R. 9571 seeks to broaden the scope of what is defined as an "animal" under the current legislation. This bill, introduced by Ms. McCollum in the House of Representatives, specifically aims to include cold-blooded species such as reptiles, amphibians, cephalopods, and fish under the protections of the Animal Welfare Act. Its short title is the "Cold-blooded Animal Research and Exhibition Act" or "CARE Act."
General Summary of the Bill
The primary objective of this bill is to amend the Animal Welfare Act to expand its definition of "animal". Previously, the Act mainly considered warm-blooded creatures like dogs, cats, and certain primates. This amendment seeks to include cold-blooded species, thus acknowledging the welfare needs of a broader range of animals. However, the bill also sets clear exclusions. Animals such as certain birds, rats, and mice bred specifically for research, as well as farm animals used for food and other production purposes, remain outside the scope of these protections.
Significant Issues
One major issue presented by the bill is the potential ambiguity in the expanded definition of "animal." Without precise distinctions, there is a risk of inconsistent application and enforcement across different types of animals and situations. Furthermore, the bill's exclusion of specific animals traditionally used in research, for example, particular rats and mice, might raise ethical concerns given the limited protections afforded to these animals.
Another area of concern is the discretionary power granted to the Secretary to determine animals used for research or exhibition. This provision could lead to arbitrary classifications and protections, resulting in unequal treatment among various species. Additionally, while the bill aims to include more species under protection, its exclusion of farmed animals for food and production purposes limits its reach significantly, potentially ignoring welfare concerns in agricultural settings.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, by including cold-blooded species under the protective umbrella of the Animal Welfare Act, the bill represents a notable step towards comprehensive animal welfare legislation. It highlights a significant awareness of the need to treat more animal species ethically and responsibly. Yet, the exclusions and ambiguities could leave important gaps, potentially resulting in a fragmented understanding and application of animal welfare standards among the public.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For animal welfare advocates, this bill could be seen as a positive development, extending necessary protections to a previously neglected group of animals. However, the specific exclusions might still be a point of contention, as ethical concerns about certain research practices remain unaddressed.
On the other hand, stakeholders in research and agriculture might view the bill as a legislative challenge, possibly increasing compliance costs due to expanded welfare requirements. These sectors might support the exclusions, as they prevent potentially costly changes to their current practices.
Overall, H.R. 9571 reflects a growing understanding of the diversity in the animal kingdom and the ethical considerations that come with it. However, it also highlights ongoing debates about where to draw lines when it comes to animal protections, indicating that further dialogue and legislative refinement might be necessary to balance the interests of all involved parties.
Issues
The expanded definition of 'animal' in Section 2, which includes cold-blooded species like reptiles and fish, might lead to ambiguity without more precise distinctions for when these animals are considered under the Animal Welfare Act. This could lead to inconsistencies in enforcement and understanding among stakeholders.
The exclusion of certain birds, rats, and mice bred for research purposes, as mentioned in Section 2, might raise significant ethical concerns regarding reduced protection for these animals under the Animal Welfare Act. This exclusion could be seen as favoring research industries at the potential expense of animal welfare.
The open-ended discretion given to the Secretary in Section 2 to determine other animals for research, testing, experimentation, or exhibition purposes poses a potential for arbitrary decision-making, which might result in unequal protections for different species.
The exclusion of farmed animals, specifically livestock, poultry, or fish used for food, fiber, or production purposes in Section 2, limits the scope of the Animal Welfare Act's protections. This exclusion might be controversial for stakeholders concerned with animal welfare standards in agricultural settings.
The language regarding special exclusions for 'farmed animals' in Section 2 could benefit from clearer definitions to avoid ambiguity regarding what specific animals are excluded, ensuring consistent understanding and application of the Act.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill establishes its official title as the “Cold-blooded Animal Research and Exhibition Act,” which can also be abbreviated as the “CARE Act.”
2. Including reptiles and fish as animals under Animal Welfare Act Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The amendment to the Animal Welfare Act expands the definition of "animal" to include reptiles, amphibians, cephalopods, and fish, as well as other animals used for research or as pets, while excluding certain birds, rats, mice bred for research, horses not used for research, and farm animals used for food or fiber production.