New York's live animal markets are a public health crisis hiding in plain sight. Animals are crammed into filthy, overcrowded crates — sick, injured, and given no food or water — before being slaughtered on the spot with no welfare protections.

The danger doesn't stop with the animals. In February 2025, seven HPAI detections forced the shutdown of all live bird markets across New York City, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties. CIWF urged the Governor and Department of Agriculture to extend the hold on live markets. They refused. Since then, USDA data confirms dozens of new detections across Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Onondaga County, with cases continuing into 2026.

Experts warn that the commingling of people and multiple species at live animal markets creates countless opportunities for viruses to mutate and spread. Many of history's deadliest diseases have originated in facilities just like these.

Bill A2421/S5017 would place a moratorium on the operation of live animal markets in New York State and establish a task force to examine their public health and animal welfare risks. Urge the Agriculture Committee to move the bill forward.