Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Rural Development, Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
SB 5300
Brief Description: Prohibiting the feeding of garbage to swine.
Sponsors: Senators Van De Wege, Das, Hunt, Randall and Wilson, C.; by request of Department of Agriculture.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Prohibits feeding garbage to swine and removes associated licensing provisions.
  • Defines garbage to be all waste material derived in whole or in part from the meat of an animal, including fish and poultry.
Hearing Date: 3/16/21
Staff: Rebecca Lewis (786-7339).
Background:

The Director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is authorized to adopt rules that prevent the introduction of spreading of infectious diseases into the state.  This includes authority to adopt rules regarding the inspection and testing of all animals in the state or being imported into the state.  


The animal health program within the WSDA exists to protect the people of the state, their livestock, and other animals from harmful animal diseases.  The animal health program administers livestock disease eradication programs in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture and regulates the movement and testing of animals coming into the state and being sold within the state.


In order to feed garbage to swine, a person must obtain a license from the WSDA; however, the license requirement does not apply to a person feeding garbage to swine from their household.  The license fee is $10 and licenses expire June 30 of each year.  Upon receipt of a license application, the Director of the WSDA must inspect the premises to determine that the applicant meets the requirements of state and federal rules regarding such feeding.


"Garbage" means the solid animal and vegetable waste and offal together with the natural moisture content resulting from the handling, preparation, or consumption of foods in houses, restaurants, hotels, kitchens, markets, meat shops, packing houses and similar establishments or any other food waste containing meat or meat products.  It is unlawful to feed animal carcasses to swine unless cooked in a way prescribed by the Director of the WSDA.
Summary of Bill:

Feeding garbage to swine is prohibited, the associated licensing provisions are deleted, and the provision providing an exemption allowing the feeding of cooked meat to swine is repealed.  The definition of garbage is amended to mean all waste material from the meat of an animal, including fish and poultry, or other animal material, and other refuse of any character that has been associated with any such material, resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, or consumption of food.  
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.