New York State Assembly Bill - Summer

Team Members: Giacomo Di Capua, Heshan Chen, Roxana Spanache, Christopher Arroyo, Lesley Tilghman, Yichun Huang, Aaron Calzadilla, Laura Bookstaver, Adriana Ng, Yong Yineng

NY State Assembly Bill A05947: Prohibiting Importation of Certain Wildlife and Fish, And Live Animal Market Restrictions - Laura Bookstaver

This report analyzes New York State Assembly Bill A5947, which proposes restrictions on the importation of certain wildlife species and stronger regulations for live animal markets to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission. Zoonotic diseases—pathogens that can spread from animals to humans—represent a major global public health concern and have been responsible for outbreaks such as COVID-19, SARS, and avian influenza. Increasing human–wildlife contact, wildlife trade, and climate-driven ecological changes have amplified the risk of zoonotic spillover events. The bill aims to mitigate these risks by strengthening hygiene standards in live animal markets, limiting the trade of species associated with high zoonotic risk, and enabling government agencies to respond rapidly to emerging disease threats.

The report evaluates the scientific foundations of zoonotic disease transmission, including the ecological and evolutionary processes that allow pathogens to cross species barriers. It also examines policy mechanisms included in the bill, such as improved interagency coordination, surveillance systems, and the development of prohibited species lists. While these measures could significantly reduce the risk of pathogen spillover, the authors highlight potential challenges, including enforcement capacity, economic impacts on markets, and the need to consider cultural practices associated with wildlife trade and food systems. The report concludes that proactive regulation of wildlife trade and improved surveillance systems are essential components of a broader One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and ecosystem health in disease prevention strategies. 

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.