Pacific

Opponents to cockfighting ban in the CNMI lose fight

11:31 am on 28 December 2018

Opponents to a cockfighting ban in the Northern Marianas have been overruled by laws introduced by US President Donald Trump.

Mr Trump last week signed a federal farm bill which contains a provision banning cockfighting in all US jurisdictions, including Pacific territories.

The practice is already banned in all 50 states but will in a year's time be extended to American Samoa, the Northern Marianas, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

Northern Marianas Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan and other US House members had killed an earlier version of the bill in June.