SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5300
As of January 28, 2021
Title: An act relating to prohibiting the feeding of garbage to swine.
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 History:
Committee Activity: Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks: 1/28/21.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Prohibits feeding garbage to swine.
  • Removes the license provisions related to feeding garbage to swine.
  • Defines garbage to be all waste material derived in whole or in part from the meat of an animal, including fish and poultry.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER, NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS
Staff: Karen Epps (786-7424)
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 the 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, administered by WSDA, exists to protect the people of the state, their livestock, and other animals from harmful animal diseases.  The program administers livestock disease eradication programs in cooperation with United States Department of Agriculture and regulates the movement and testing of animals coming into the state and being sold within the state.

 

Feeding garbage to swine requires a license from the director.  The fee for the license is $10 and the license expires on June 30th of each year.  The license is nontransferable and a separate license is required for each place of business if an operator has more than one feeding station.  When issuing a license to a person to feed garbage to swine, the director must inspect the premises and determine that the applicant meets the requirements of state and federal rules regarding such feeding.  A person feeding garbage to swine from their household is not required to obtain a license.    
Summary of Bill:

Feeding garbage to swine is prohibited.  Provisions related to obtaining a license to feed garbage to swine are removed. 


The definition of garbage is amended to be all waste material derived in whole or in part from the meat of an animal, including fish and poultry, or other animal material, and other refuse of any character whatsoever that has been associated with any such material, resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, or consumption of food.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO:  This bill will align Washington with 23 other states that have a prohibition on feeding garbage to pigs.  No one has applied for a license to feed garbage to pigs since 2015. There was a large influx of pigs into Washington this spring as many novice farmers acquired pigs as a way to address food security concerns.  The influx of hogs brought an influx of risk to animal and human health.  Feeding garbage, specifically meat of an animal or waste that has been in contact with meat or meat products, to pigs introduces a risk of disease.  This bill is important to reduce the risk of introducing a catastrophic disease, such as African swine fever or foot and mouth disease, which could have devastating impacts to Washington's farm communities.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Kevin Van De Wege, Prime Sponsor; Amber Itle, Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.