HR 5286119th CongressIn Committee

Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act

Introduced: Sep 10, 2025

Agriculture & Food

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act aims to strengthen animal-welfare protections during transport by two main changes. First, it requires the Secretary of Transportation, within 180 days of enactment, to develop an enforcement mechanism (in collaboration with the Secretary of Agriculture) to investigate and inspect transportation of animals. This mechanism can target rail, express, and common carriers, as well as owners, operators, receivers, trustees, or masters of vessels transporting animals, and any related records, to determine compliance with transport rules. The second major change adds a prohibition on interstate movement of livestock that are unfit to travel, using an internationally recognized standard (the World Organisation for Animal Health) to define “unfit.” The bill also clarifies an exception allowing movement for veterinary care. Overall, the bill aims to improve enforcement capabilities and create a clearer standard to prevent the interstate shipment of sick, injured, or otherwise unsuitably conditioned livestock, potentially reducing animal suffering during transport and increasing accountability for carriers and others involved in moving farmed animals.

Key Points

1Enforceable mechanism: Requires the Secretary of Transportation, within 180 days, to establish an enforcement mechanism to investigate and inspect transport—covering vehicles, vessels, and related records—to check compliance with transport provisions related to animals. The mechanism is to be developed in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture.
2Additional authority: The Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Agriculture will issue rules, orders, or guidance as needed to carry out the enforcement mechanism.
3Prohibition on interstate movement: Amends the Animal Health Protection Act to allow the Secretary to prohibit interstate movement of livestock that are unfit to travel.
4Definition of “unfit to travel”: Aligns with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code, including specific conditions such as illness, injury, weakness, blindness in both eyes, inability to stand or bear weight, newborns with unhealed navels, late-gestation in final 10% of pregnancy, recent birth without offspring, or poor welfare due to expected climatic conditions.
5Exceptions: Movement for veterinary care is not prohibited, preserving essential medical treatment for livestock.

Impact Areas

Primary affected groups/areas: Livestock shippers and carriers (rail, express, and common carriers), vessel owners and masters, receivers, trustees, lessees, and other parties involved in transporting animals. The enforcement mechanism directly affects how these stakeholders are inspected and disciplined for noncompliance.Secondary affected groups/areas: Farmers and livestock producers (through potentially stricter transport requirements), the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (in implementing enforcement and standards), animal welfare organizations and advocates (who may rely on stronger enforcement for better welfare outcomes), and interstate commerce considerations for livestock.Additional impacts: Potential changes in compliance costs and operational practices for transporters; increased regulatory clarity on what constitutes an “unfit to travel” animal; enhanced alignment with international welfare standards (OIE) for cross-border considerations, though focused on interstate movement within the U.S. The bill could reduce shipments of animals in poor condition and increase welfare during transport, while also creating enforcement actions for violations.

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