Agriculture - Roosters - Restrictions
The bill is designed to promote public health and welfare by enforcing restrictions that are expected to reduce illegal activities such as cockfighting, which is currently against Maryland law. Furthermore, it aims to mitigate the risks posed by Avian Flu outbreaks that can be exacerbated by unchecked rooster breeding and keeping. However, the bill includes exceptions for commercial poultry producers and other specific entities, ensuring that agricultural operations are not adversely impacted.
House Bill 1030, titled 'Agriculture – Roosters – Restrictions,' aims to regulate the keeping of roosters in Maryland. The bill seeks to limit the number of roosters a person can keep on a property, specifically capping it at five roosters per acre or a maximum of twenty-five roosters on a single property without special authorization from the Department of Agriculture. This measure is intended to address ongoing issues related to illegal cockfighting practices and the associated risks, such as the spread of Avian Flu.
Notably, the bill has sparked discussions regarding local versus state control over animal husbandry regulations. It allows local governments to enact stricter regulations if they see fit, which may lead to a patchwork of different local standards across the state. Some stakeholders are in favor of these restrictions, citing community health concerns, while others worry that such policies might unduly affect small-scale farmers and enthusiasts who keep roosters for non-commercial reasons.