BP BHEAD INT H [atlas:bill]

WHEREAS, The Washington State Legislature passes laws that govern agriculture, fish and wildlife, and the ownership and use of animals within the state; and

WHEREAS, Those laws should promote public understanding of, and appreciation for, the wise use of domestic animals, fish and wildlife for scientific purposes, economic benefit, service, enjoyment, and companionship; and

WHEREAS, The state is responsible for wildlife management and sport regulation, ensuring the health and safety of the public, and ensuring the health and benefit of wildlife; and

WHEREAS, The responsible breeding and care of all fish and animals is essential to the efficient and profitable production of food, fiber, and other animal uses and products; and

WHEREAS, The protection of those engaging in animal enterprise is essential to the intrinsic interdependence of humans and animals and to the personal and public benefit of that relationship; and

WHEREAS, The use of scientific and ecological principles is essential to conserving and managing wildlife and wildlife habitats in a manner that fosters long-term survival and a balance between wild and domestic animals; and

WHEREAS, Research utilizing animals is necessary to ensure the effective medical treatment of humans and animals;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the House of Representatives of the state of Washington, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature supports properly researched and industry tested livestock practices and accepted animal husbandry practices that promote proper animal care and provide consumers with wholesome food, a choice of fiber products, and animals for service, sport, and companionship; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That those practices should include:

(1) The promotion and protection of public safety and health;

(2) Compliance with and enforcement of wildlife laws;

(3) Compliance with accepted animal husbandry standards for animal health and the management of livestock and companion animals;

(4) The use of transportation and handling facilities that provide for livestock health and safety;

(5) Consultation with licensed veterinarians and industry experts concerning livestock health needs, livestock health care practices, and the use of livestock health products; and

(6) The protection of individuals and public or private entities that engage in animal enterprises and adhere to properly researched and industry tested livestock practices and accepted animal husbandry practices; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Legislature supports:

(1) Public and private education programs that present the facts of animal production, use, service, and companionship to the general public;

(2) Research that improves scientific knowledge, human and animal health and productivity and the quality of animal products, and the development of practical methods for implementing the findings of that research; and

(3) Wildlife management practices, based on scientific research, that ensure the security of healthy, viable wildlife populations so that those populations can be properly used and enjoyed by present and future generations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Legislature shall support and preserve:

(1) Lawful animal practices that increase public awareness of animals and the importance of animals in modern life as sources of food, fiber, scientific knowledge, service, and companionship; and

(2) Efforts to protect domestic animal, wildlife, and fish populations by prohibiting transactions involving threatened or endangered species without a valid government permit, introductions of fish and wildlife that are contradicted by wildlife rules and laws and offenses committed against animals, and by encouraging the responsible placement by shelters of companion animals into appropriate adoptive homes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Legislature opposes:

(1) The expenditure of public funds to promote animal rights and the use of educational materials in public schools that discourage the use and enjoyment of animals and animal products; and

(2) Legislation and regulations that would prohibit or unduly restrict the use of animals in research or for food, fiber, or service or restrict the responsible breeding and sale of animals as pets or companions or for hobby, lawful sport, display, or exhibition.