S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4773
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 5, 2019
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Introduced by M. of A. BARRETT -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
including the Asian longhorned tick on the invasive species list; and
the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requiring the prepara-
tion of recommendations for best practices in treating livestock and
farm properties for Asian longhorned tick treatment, prevention, and
management
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative Findings. The legislature hereby finds and
declares that the introduction of the Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphy-
salis longicornis) represents a significant threat to New York live-
stock. The Asian longhorned tick is the first new invasive species of
ticks to enter the United States in 50 years. It is currently found in
eight states including parts of New York. As the climate continues to
warm, their geographic reach will continue to expand across the Eastern
seaboard. The Asian longhorned tick can rapidly reproduce asexually,
laying thousands of eggs at a time allowing for rapid proliferation.
They are attracted to and can transmit diseases to livestock such as
sheep, cattle, and horses. In Asia, the species carries a virus that
kills 15 percent of victims through hemorrhaging, organ failure, and
blood loss. The legislature hereby declares that due to the significant
risks of the Asian longhorned tick to the livestock industry, farmers
need to be made aware of the dangers presented by the Asian longhorned
tick. Therefore, the legislature seeks to provide farmers with a reli-
able source of information to turn to when looking for answers on how to
best protect their livestock and farm properties.
§ 2. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new
section 9-1711 to read as follows:
§ 9-1711. ASIAN LONGHORNED TICK.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08422-01-9
A. 4773 2
THE COMMISSIONER, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPART-
MENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS, SHALL ADD THE ASIAN LONGHORNED TICK TO
THE STATE INVASIVE SPECIES LIST AND INCLUDE THE ASIAN LONGHORNED TICK IN
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 9-1705 OF THIS TITLE, AND WHEREVER PRACTICAL, PROHIBIT AND
ACTIVELY ELIMINATE OR OTHERWISE CONTROL THE INVASIVE SPECIES THE ASIAN
LONGHORNED TICK AT PROJECT SITES FUNDED OR REGULATED BY THE STATE IN
COLLABORATION WITH THE COUNCIL, AID IN THE REVIEW AND REFORM OF RELEVANT
REGULATORY PROCESSES TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY IMPEDIMENTS TO THE RESTORA-
TION OF INVADED ECOSYSTEMS, AND INCLUDE INFORMATION ON THE ASIAN LONG-
HORNED TICK ON STATEWIDE DATABASES AND CLEARINGHOUSES THAT INCORPORATES
EXISTING DATA FROM AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE, AS WELL AS
FROM NEARBY STATES, PROVINCES, CANADA, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
§ 3. Section 16 of the agriculture and markets law is amended by
adding a new subdivision 50 to read as follows:
50. TO DEVELOP, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPART-
MENT OF HEALTH, BEST-PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TREATMENT, PREVENTION
AND MANAGEMENT OF LIVESTOCK AND FARM PROPERTY AGAINST ASIAN LONGHORNED
TICKS. SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL BE BASED UPON SCIENTIFIC DATA AND
SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE USE OF LANDSCAPE TECHNIQUES
DEMONSTRATED TO BE SAFE FOR LIVESTOCK, PEOPLE, PETS AND THE ENVIRONMENT,
METHODS TO DISCOURAGE RODENT ACTIVITY, AND THE USE OF EFFECTIVE ACTIVE
INGREDIENTS, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION 33-0101 OF THE
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW, INCLUDING USAGE INFORMATION AND ANY
LABEL WARNINGS OR CAUTION STATEMENTS. THE COMMISSIONER, IN CONSULTATION
WITH THE NEW YORK STATE LAND GRANT UNIVERSITY, SHALL DEVELOP AND
DISTRIBUTE TO FARMERS A PAMPHLET ON ASIAN LONGHORNED TICK TREATMENT,
MANAGEMENT, AND PREVENTION. SUCH PAMPHLET AND RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL
ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WEBSITE.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the fifteenth of April next
succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective imme-
diately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation
necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are
authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.