BILL ANALYSIS �
SENATE COMMITTEE on AGRICULTURE
Senator Cathleen Galgiani, Chair
BILL NO: AB 2730 HEARING: 06/17/14
AUTHOR: Assembly Agriculture CommitteeFISCAL: Yes
VERSION: 03/18/14 CONSULTANT: Anne Megaro
Animal disease planning.
SUMMARY :
This bill would require the California Department of Food and
Agriculture (CDFA) by July 1, 2015, to develop and maintain a
list of animal diseases that are likely to enter California and,
to the extent funding is available, develop a written plan for
the detection, exclusion, eradication, control, or management of
higher priority animal diseases on this list.
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW :
California leads the nation in agricultural productivity, where
in 2012 the farm gate value for agricultural products was $44.7
billion. Despite this growing market, California is
continuously faced with the threat of new pests and diseases
that could negatively impact productivity, local economies, and
risk both animal and human health.
Existing law requires CDFA to maintain and publish a list of
reportable conditions that pose or could pose a significant
threat to public health, animal health, the environment, or the
food supply (Food and Agricultural Code �9101 et seq.). CDFA's
Animal Health and Food Safety Services Division protects public
and animal health through the prevention, detection, and
eradication of livestock and poultry diseases. The California
Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS) assists
in these efforts.
In 2006, CDFA published a report on emergency responses to
foreign animal diseases (FAD), specifically foot and mouth
disease, avian influenza, and exotic Newcastle disease.
According to this report, "These diseases are caused by highly
contagious viruses that exponentially spread, potentially
devastating vast populations of animals and, in some cases, may
pose a threat to human health." Furthermore, "Early and
continuous surveillance for FAD's in California is
the single most effective method of preventing a FAD from
becoming established."
AB 2730 - Page 2
( http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/Animal_Health/pdfs/Overview_FAD_Res
ponse_1.pdf )
Existing law requires CDFA to develop and maintain a list of
invasive pests that have a reasonable likelihood of entering
California and to develop and maintain a written plan for
detection, exclusion, eradication, control, or management of the
higher priority invasive pests on this list (Food and
Agricultural Code �5260 et seq.).
In addition to affecting animal health and damaging the
agricultural economy, animal diseases may pose a serious threat
to the health and well-being of all Californians. The Institute
for Infectious Animal Diseases, a Department of Homeland
Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence, reports
that 75% of recently emerging infectious diseases that affect
humans began as animal diseases; 60% of animal pathogens are
zoonotic, meaning transmissible between animals and humans; and
16% of all U.S. jobs depend upon the health of the nation's
$1.25 trillion agricultural economy.
PROPOSED LAW :
This bill:
1. States findings and declarations regarding the
introduction of invasive species into California and states
that 85% of all human diseases are zoonotic.
2. Requires CDFA, by July 1, 2015, to develop and maintain
a list of animal diseases that have a reasonable likelihood
of entering California for which a response by the state
might be appropriate.
3. Requires CDFA, to the extent that funding is available,
to develop and maintain a written plan for the detection,
exclusion, eradication, control, or management of the
higher priority animal diseases on the list created above.
Determination of higher priority animal diseases and the
development of appropriate response plans shall be made in
consultation with USDA, the University of California, other
state agencies and departments, and others in the
scientific and research community.
4. Authorizes CDFA to contract for scientific research with
AB 2730 - Page 3
the University of California or other institutions of
higher learning.
COMMENTS :
Need for this bill: According to the author, CDFA's budget has
been cut over the past several years, putting the state's
livestock industry and pets at risk of contracting diseases and
viruses. In order to use limited resources most effectively,
establishing a list of potential animal diseases and health
risks that could be introduced in California could help the
department focus expertise on the areas of greatest risk.
Invasive pest list: Existing law (AB 2763 of 2008) requires
CDFA to develop a list of potential invasive pests, and to
develop and maintain a written plan for detection, exclusion,
eradication, control, or management of the higher priority
invasive pests on this list. This bill would take a similar
approach and require that a list and response plan be maintained
for animal diseases.
RELATED LEGISLATION :
AB 2763 (Laird), Chapter 573, Statutes of 2008. Requires CDFA
to develop and maintain a list of invasive pests that have a
reasonable likelihood of entering California, and to develop and
maintain a written plan for detection, exclusion, eradication,
control, or management of the higher priority invasive pests on
this list.
PRIOR ACTIONS :
Assembly Floor 78-0
Assembly Appropriations 17-0
Assembly Agriculture 7-0
SUPPORT :
Association of California Egg Farmers
California Farm Bureau Federation
California Grain and Feed Association
AB 2730 - Page 4
OPPOSITION :
None received