NEW YORK CITY (Feb. 17, 2025) — In response to the growing global threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and its impact on public health and New York’s and the United States' agricultural economy, Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), Voter for Animal Rights (VFAR), Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), Humane World For Animals (HWFA), The Humane League (THL), and 22 other organizations and New York community members are calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to extend the hold on live animal markets in New York City for an additional 30 days to study and assess the impact these markets have on animal-to-human disease transmission and to develop a plan to safeguard national public health and prevent future pandemics.

While we commend the Governor’s efforts to combat the spread of HPAI, temporary shutdowns alone are insufficient. Live animal markets, which house multiple species in confined, stressful conditions, have long been identified as high-risk environments for the transmission of zoonotic diseases like HPAI, SARS, and COVID. The current HPAI outbreak has already caused widespread economic harm, with millions of birds culled across the U.S. and substantial disruptions to the US egg market.

“The scientific community, including the CDC, WHO, and FAO, has consistently warned about the risks posed by live animal markets,” said Dr. Hillary Dalton, Senior Research Scientist at Compassion in World Farming. “We are witnessing a direct threat to public health, with HPAI crossing species barriers and affecting not only birds but other animals and humans as well. Governor Hochul has the opportunity to take bold action to protect New Yorkers, set a precedent for the nation, and curb the potential for future outbreaks.” 

In New York City, over 80 live animal markets operate in conditions that facilitate the spread of pathogens, including the crowding of animals, mixing of different species, extreme temperatures, lack of food and water, and close human contact. Experts are concerned that without stronger regulations, the risk of new zoonotic diseases will only increase, jeopardizing the safety and stability of local communities and the agricultural sector at best, and triggering another pandemic at worst. 

To address this growing issue, we are advocating for the following measures:

• Extend the current 30-day hold on live animal markets to allow time for comprehensive disease surveillance and testing.
• Study the risks associated with live animal markets and disease transmission
• Strengthen biosecurity measures at these markets, and the farms and distributor facilities supplying these markets, to mitigate further viral transmission.

“We cannot afford to ignore the lessons learned from past outbreaks,” said Dr. Hillary Dalton. “Stricter regulations of live animal markets are critical steps toward reducing the risk of zoonotic diseases and setting a national example of proactive public health measures. The science is clear: we must act now.” 

Quotes from Signers of the Letter

“Zoonotic diseases, specifically avian influenza (HPAI), pose a threat to the welfare of the people and State of New York,” said Kathleen Schatzmann, Strategic Legislative Affairs Manager at the Animal Legal Defense Fund. “We urge Governor Hochul to extend the live market closures and take decisive action toward safer standards.”

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“Live animal markets are a ticking time bomb for public health,” said Hannah Truxell, Senior Policy Counsel at The Humane League. “With the rapid spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, the risks of continued inaction are too great. Governor Hochul has the chance to be a leader in preventing future pandemics by extending the hold on these markets and implementing stronger protections to curb the spread of disease. We must not wait for the next outbreak to take decisive action.” 

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“We encourage Gov. Hochul to extend the temporary hold on live animal markets, allow time for a thorough assessment, and establish safeguards to prevent further transmission of HPAI. New York has the opportunity to lead the country with forward-thinking policies that protect public health and animal welfare. A short-term pause is not enough; we need sustained action and strategic interventions to mitigate the risk of disease outbreaks." Chris Holbein, Director, Public & Corporate Policy, Farm Animal Protection, The Humane Society of the United States.

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“HPAI continues to devastate wildlife, livestock, and human health across the US, and its recent detection in several live animal markets across New York City underscores the urgent need for extended closures, enhanced biosecurity protocols, and the development of comprehensive interventions to prevent further spread. As a New York-based organization with extensive experience documenting the conditions inside live animal markets, we know the grave risks they pose. These facilities, which confine multiple species from all over the country in crowded and unsanitary conditions, are breeding grounds for zoonotic disease transfer. Extending their closure is nothing short of necessary to protect public health, prevent further animal suffering, and safeguard New York’s vulnerable wildlife communities. Governor Hochul, your leadership in this moment can set a precedent for the nation and demonstrate that proactive measures are the best defense against emerging public health crises. New Yorkers, both human and animal alike, are counting on you,” said Cailen LaBarge, Executive Director, Strategies for Ethical and Environmental Development (SEED).

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"We must learn from the Pandemic of 2020 and be vigilant about the obvious repeating of history" said Mia Genovesi, Founder, Godspeed Horse Hostel Inc.

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The Governor can take decisive steps that will protect public health in New York and set the standard for other states facing similar challenges. We urge Governor Hochul to take decisive action on behalf of public health and extend the hold on live animal markets for another 30 days.

About Compassion in World Farming:

Compassion in World Farming is the leading international farm animal welfare charity, campaigning to improve the lives of millions of farm animals through advocacy, lobbying for legislative change, and positive engagement with the global food industry. Our established international Food Business program aims to achieve a holistic approach to sustainable food production by driving transformational change for farm animals, reducing our reliance on animal-sourced foods, and moving the food industry towards more regenerative, nature-friendly farming. To find more about Compassion in World Farming or join the movement, visit: ciwf.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.   

For more information, please contact:

Alex Cragun, Head of Strategic Communication and Initiatives, alex.cragun@ciwf.org, 801-759-6455