Regardless of your stance on this issue, the
direction of equine related legislation in our country will
potentially and inevitably affect every single
horse owner. Take our freedoms seriously - contact your state or local representative and let them know what you think.
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E-MAIL YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
REPRESENTATIVE:
see this easy directory
at
https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml
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JUNE 2011 - GAO Report on Horse Processing Released
(from
The Horse 6-23-2011)
The demise of the horse processing industry in the U.S. has not prevented horses from being sold for slaughter and has contributed to a rise in equine neglect and abuse incidents, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report issued Wednesday
(June 22). The GAO is an independent nonpartisan agency established to provide Congress with objective, fact-based information intended to improve performance and accountability of federal agencies.
Horse processing has not taken place in the U.S. since 2007, when the last processing facilities operating in Texas and Illinois closed after Congress stripped the USDA of funding for food safety inspections at processing plants. The USDA continued to provide
inspections on a fee-for-service basis until a federal judge ruled against the inspection for fee arrangement. Since then horses have been transported to Mexico and Canada for processing.
During its consideration of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010, the U.S. Senate Appropriations' Committee ordered the GAO to study how the horse processing plant closures have affected
the U.S. horse industry. The study authors investigated how processing plant closures have influenced the number of horses sold, exported, adopted, or abandoned in the United States, how the closures have affected farm income and trade, and how the USDA has
overseen the transport of horses to Mexico and Canada for slaughter.
In its report released on June 22, the GAO concluded that from 2006 to 2010 the number of horses exported to Mexico for processing rose 660%. The number of horses exported to Canadian processing plants increased 148% during the same time period.
"As a result, nearly the same number of U.S. horses was transported to Canada and Mexico for slaughter in 2010--nearly 138,000--as was slaughtered before domestic slaughter ceased," the authors reported.
The plant closings were also responsible for an 8-21% decline in market prices for low- and medium- priced horses, or those that are most likely to be brought to slaughter, they added.
Meanwhile, the number of horses involved in animal cruelty and abandonment investigations in some states increased since processing plants closed in 2007, according to the authors. In Colorado cruelty investigations increased more than 60% from 975 in 2005 to
1,588 in 2009, the authors noted. Officials in California, Texas, and Florida also reported an increase in the number of animals abandoned on private property since 2007.
"State, local, tribal, and horse industry officials generally attributed these increases in neglect and abandonments to cessation of domestic slaughter and the economic downturn," the report authors explained.
As of a result of its findings, the GAO recommended that Congress either reinstate funding for USDA food safety inspections at horse processing plants, or ban horse slaughter in the U.S. altogether. Legislation addressing those possibilities has already been
introduced. In May the U.S. House of Representatives amended the Agricultural Appropriations Act of 2012 to continue the defunding of USDA horse processing plant inspections. In June Senators Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) introduced SB 1176,
the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011. If passed the bill would amend the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the sale or transport of horses or equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce with the intent of processing them for human consumption.
Meanwhile, individuals on both sides of the horse processing issue are reacting to report's findings.
Equine welfare advocate Jerry Finch, president of the equine protection organization Habitat for Horses, said the GAO report contained a pro-slaughter bias. He criticized the study for failing to consider how the intractable recession and overbreeding have
affected the horse industry.
"Nothing in that report had an ounce of verifiable fact and a true representation of the actual state of the horse economy and the slaughter issue," Finch said.
Processing proponent Wyoming State Representative Sue Wallis said she supported the report and its recommendation to reinstate USDA horsemeat inspection funding.
"For the most part, we agree with their conclusions," Wallis said. "We will continue to advocate for the responsible and regulated inspection of horses and horsemeat in the United States where our agencies can ensure the welfare of horses."
It is unlikely that the GAO report will be the final word on equine welfare issues as lawmakers and equine welfare advocates seek ways to boost the U.S. horse industry and promote equine welfare. The full report is available online at
www.gao.gov.
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APRIL 2011 - Pennsylvania Bill Creates Animal Abuser Registry
(from
The Horse 4-19-2011)
A Pennsylvania lawmaker has introduced a measure that would create a statewide database containing the names of those convicted on animal cruelty charges--including cruelty to horses--anywhere in the state.
Sponsored by State Sen. Larry Farnese, SB 921 would require convicted on animal cruelty offenders to submit for the database their names (including aliases) addresses, social security numbers, workplace, a recent photograph, and the offense for which they were
convicted. If passed, offenders would have 10 days after conviction to register for the database, and would be required to update registration information annually. Those who fail to register could face felony charges. Registrants who re-offend could face
similar charges.
Under the bill, the Pennsylvania State Police would maintain the registry. Registrants would pay an annual $50 registration fee to an Animal Abuse Registry Fund to cover database administration costs.
Farnese's Communications Director Cathie Abookire said recent arrests connected with a large dog fighting ring prompted the legislation, however anyone convicted of horse cruelty would also be required to register, Abookire said.
Jo Deibel executive director of the Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue, Inc. in Glenville, Penn, supports such a registry.
"I think it would be great," Deible said.
SB 921 is now before the Pennsylvania State Senate's Judiciary Committee for review.
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APRIL 2011 - Virginia Livestock Welfare Bill Becomes Law
(from
The Horse 4-19-2011)
A Virginia bill amending the state's animal welfare code to include specific horse care practices was signed into law in late March.
HB 1541 requires horse owners to provide their animals with feed to prevent malnutrition, water to prevent dehydration, and veterinary care to prevent impairment of health or
physical function. The measure defines normal horse keeping practices and insulates owners from unfounded animal neglect complaints lodged by individuals unfamiliar with customary horse keeping procedures.
The bill initially drew criticism from some Virginia equine welfare operations on the grounds that the measure stripped cruelty codes from the statute and replaced them with the care standards, said Susan White, Richmond region director of the United States
Equine Rescue League.
"The cruelty codes stay in place," White clarified. "What this law does is allow animal welfare officers to intervene sooner."
In a written statement, Lindsay Reames, assistant director of governmental relations for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, said livestock will benefit from the new law.
"We believe that this law will demonstrate our farmers' commitment to the welfare of agricultural animals," Reames said.
Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell signed the bill into law on March 28, said McDonnell's Press Secretary Jeff Caldwell.
The law goes into effect on July 1, Caldwell said.
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FEBRUARY 2011 - Nebraska Horse Processing Bill Advances
(from
The Horse 2-17-2011)
A measure intended to facilitate private sector horse processing plant development in Nebraska was approved by that state Senate's Agriculture Committee on Feb. 15.
The bill, LB 305, would establish a state inspection program for plants that process meat and poultry for human consumption. The program would operate under USDA State Meat and
Poultry Inspection (MPI) Program requirements.
MPI programs operate in several states under a cooperative agreement with the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Under the agreement, participating states must enforce food safety requirements that meet or exceed those contained in the Federal
Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act. Food products produced under the state inspections may not be distributed across state lines. Meat could be exported if plant operator can develop business ties with foreign markets, or if a foreign
company is the developer.
The bill's sponsor State Sen. Tyson Larson said the measure would support existing plants that process grass-fed cattle, bison, elk, and ostrich. The measure would also invite horse processing plant developers to the state, he said.
The bill now moves on to the full Senate for consideration, said a spokesman for committee Chairman Tom Carlson.
Valerie Hinderlider, operator of the Break Heart Ranch horse rescue in Minden, Neb., opposes slaughter plant development in Nebraska.
"It would set a horrible precedent," Hinderlider said.
Elsewhere, HB 1072, a South Dakota measure that would have authorized a state-funded horse processing plant development feasibility study has died in that state's House of Representatives Appropriations Committee.
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AUGUST 2010 - California
Passes Anti-Slaughter Resolution
(from
The Horse 8-26-2010)
A bill instructing
California's congressional
delegation to support federal
legislation that would forbid the
transport of horses to horse
processing plants in Canada and
Mexico took its final step to
passage on Wednesday, 8-25-2010,
when that state's Senate approved
the measure.
Introduced in
February, SJR 22 calls on federal
lawmakers to pass HR 503, the Prevention
of Equine Cruelty Act and SB727, its
twin senate bill. Both bills prohibit
the transport, sale, delivery, or export
of horses for slaughter for human
consumption. It also criminalizes
the purchase, sale, delivery, or export
of horsemeat intended for human
consumption. Both bills remain pending.
The California state
Senate approved SJR 22 on August 25. The
state's assembly passed the measure
earlier this month.
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MAY 2010 - Florida
Anti-Slaughter Bill Becomes Law
(from The
Horse 5-19-2010)
Anyone who slaughters
a horse and sells its meat for human consumption in Florida
now faces criminal felony charges under a new measure signed
into law by Gov. Charlie Crist on May 14.
HB 765 prohibits the
mutilation or killing of any horse, and forbids the
transport, distribution, sale, and purchase of horsemeat for
human consumption. Violators face felony mandatory minimum
penalties of $3,500 in fines and one year in prison, and
maximum penalties of five years in prison and $5,000 in
fines for each offense.
The new law responds
directly to a series of horse poaching incidents in south
Florida, where the butchered remains of more than 22 horses
were discovered in Miami-Dade and Broward counties last
year. Criminal cases connected to those incidents remain
pending.
Jeannette Jordan,
president of the South Florida Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals, said the new law sets Florida apart from
other states that are eager to embrace the horse processing
industry.
"It says Florida is a
horse-friendly state," she said.
The Florida
legislation was among several bills on the subject of horse
slaughter considered by lawmakers in several states this
year.
A Wyoming bill (HB
122) that allows state livestock authorities to process
abandoned horses and sell their meat to prisons and other
state institutions, became law in March.
Meanwhile, in
Missouri, HB 1747, a bill that would establish horse
processing plant operation and meat inspection regulations
was tabled in a Senate committee. However, language from
that bill was later incorporated into SB 795, an omnibus
agriculture bill.
Members of a joint
House and Senate Conference Committee later stripped the
horse processing language from that bill.
Similar bills in
Tennessee and Illinois were put on hold.
Illinois HB 4812 to
repeal that state's prohibition against horse processing for
human consumption was withdrawn from a state House floor
vote and returned to committee for further study.
Tennessee's HB 1428
establishing licensing, inspection, operational regulations,
and fees for horse processing plants in that state was also
redirected for further study.
For more on this story, click here
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APRIL 2010 - Tennessee Horse Processing Bill Advances
(from The
Horse 4-10-2010)
A bill that would
allow horse processing plant development in Tennessee
advanced yesterday when members of the state's House Finance
Subcommittee passed it by a slim 7-6 margin. The measure now
moves on for full Finance, Ways and Means and Budget
Committee consideration.
HB 1428 directs the
Tennessee Department of Agriculture to establish licensing,
inspection, operational regulations, and fees for horse
processing plants in that state. The bill also insulates
prospective plant developers from permit and licensing
challenges and awards attorney and court fees to plaintiffs
in cases courts deem harassing or without merit.
The Tennessee bill
mirrors a measure (HB 418) that became law in Montana last
year, said sponsor Rep. Frank Niceley.
A companion bill, SB
1898, remains in a state Senate committee.
Tennessee is one of
several states where horse processing legislation is either
pending or has passed.
Last week the
Missouri House of Representatives passed HB 1747. That bill
establishes horse processing plant operation and meat
inspection regulations and requires plant operators to pay
registration and processing fees to underwrite meat
inspection costs.
Meanwhile, Florida
lawmakers are considering twin bills SB 1708 and HB 0765
that would make it a felony to slaughter horses and sell
their meat for human consumption.
A Wyoming bill HB 122
allowing state livestock to process abandoned horses and
sell their meat to prisons and other state institutions was
signed into law last month.
For more on this story, click here |
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The House passed bill HR-1018 239 to 185
July 17, 2009. HR-1018 is the Restore Our
American Mustangs Act. The bill mandates
wider use of contraception to control herd size,
directs the BLM to expand its adoptions
programs, and forbids the euthanasia or sale of
horses for slaughter. The bill now
moves to the Senate for approval. VP of
Government Affairs for the Humane Society of the
United States, Nancy Perry, said the vote
signifies "a step toward more cost-effective,
humane wild horse and burro management."
The BLM currently manages more than 33,000 wild
horses and burros on public land. No
comment from the BLM was available.
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MAY 09
- SLAUGHTER BILL PASSES IN MONTANA
The Horse
by: Pat
Raia
May 04 2009,
Article # 14098
"A measure promoting
privately-owned horse processing
plant development in Montana
became law on Friday when Gov.
Brian Schweitzer allowed the
bill to lapse into law.
HB 418 insulates prospective
plant developers from permit and
licensing challenges on
environmental and other grounds,
and awards attorney and court
fees to plaintiffs in cases
District Courts deem harassing
or without merit.
The measure automatically
became law after Schweitzer
declined to sign or veto it 10
days after it reached his desk.
Schweitzer
previously vetoed the bill, and sent
an amended version back to the
legislature. But legislators
returned the bill to its
original form and sent it back
to Schweitzer a second time.
"The Governor made his
opinion on this bill known, the
legislature did the same. No
action was taken and the bill
has now become law," said
Schweitzer's Communications
Director Sarah Elliott.
HB 418 sponsor Rep. Ed
Butcher said he was not
surprised Schweitzer allowed it
to become law by default.
"People in rural areas
really got behind this
legislation. I think this was
the best move he could make
considering the spot he was in,"
Butcher said.
Read more about this
issue from April & May 09....
Montana Slaughter Law Could
Face Challenges
5-6-09 A new Montana state
law invites private
investors to develop horse
slaughter facilities in that
state. But opponents say
compliance and court
challenges might discourage
prospective investors from
ever breaking ground on
plant projects. HB 418
insulates plant developers
from permit and licensing
challenges on environmental
and other grounds, and
awards attorney and court
fees to plaintiffs in cases
District Courts deem
harassing or without merit.
...
Read full story
Arkansas Slaughter
Resolution Goes to Governor
4-20-09 A resolution
instructing Arkansas'
Congressional delegation to
vote against a bill that
would prohibit the export of
horses to slaughter
facilities in Mexico and
Canada is now before that
state's governor for his
signature. HCR 1004 was sent
to Gov. Mike Beebe on April
3 after passing the full
Arkansas General Assembly.
The resolution instructs
Arkansas representatives in
Washington to vote against
HR 503, the Conyers-Burton
Prevention of Equine ...
Read full story
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FEB 09 - URGENT
DEVELOPMENTS!!! (see The Horse - www.thehorse.com)
Update on State Slaughter Resolutions;
Idaho Joins Debate
by: Pat Raia
March 12 2009
Idaho has joined the list of states
pondering legislation aimed at
maintaining control of equine transport
and re-establishing the horse processing
industry in the United States.
Introduced into Idaho's House State
Affairs Committee this week by State
Rep. Thomas F. Loertscher, HJM 005
instructs Idaho's congressional
delegation to vote against the
Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine
Cruelty Act (HR 503). The federal
measure would impose a nationwide ban on
the transport of horses for slaughter.
Resolutions similar to Idaho's have
passed in:
Kansas (HCR 5004)
South Dakota (SCR 2)
Utah (HJR 7)
Wyoming (HJR 8)
Similar resolutions are pending in:
Arizona (SCM 1001)
Minnesota (SF 133)
North Dakota (HB 1496)
Arkansas (HCR 1004)
Missouri (House, HCR 19; Senate, SCR
8)
Meanwhile, legislators in the following
states are considering bills that would
amend current state laws to promote the
development of horse slaughter plants by
private investors:
Illinois (HB 0583)
Montana (HB 418)
Tennessee (HB 1361)
The bills are the first to establish
horse processing facilities in the
United States since 2007, when lawmakers
in Texas and in Illinois shuttered
slaughter plants in those states. Horses
are currently shipped to facilities in
Mexico and Canada for processing for
markets in Europe and Asia
_______________________________________
States
Ask to Retain Control of Equine
Transport, Slaughter
by:
Pat Raia
from
www.TheHorse.com
February 12 2009
Lawmakers in two Western states have
sponsored resolutions urging Congress to
let state legislators make up their own
minds about horse slaughter issues
within their lines. Wyoming's House
Joint Resolution (HJR 8) and Utah's
House Joint Resolution (HJR 7) both
argue the federal Conyers-Burton
Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (HR
503) interferes with states' rights to
pursue private sector development of
horse slaughter processing plants.
Introduced in January, 2009, by U.S.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman John
Conyers (D-Mich) and Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.),
HR 503 prohibits the transport, sale,
delivery, or export of American horses
for slaughter for human consumption. It
also criminalizes the purchase, sale,
delivery, or export of horsemeat
intended for human consumption. The bill
remains in committee.
"We can handle (these issues) as a state
better than the feds can," said Utah
State Rep. Bradley Winn, a sponsor of
the resolution. "With this resolution,
we're just telling our representatives
in Washington how to vote."
Wyoming and Utah are among four states
considering legislation promoting horse
processing plant development. North
Dakota legislators are seeking state
funding for a plant development
feasibility study, and a Montana bill
would change state law to accommodate
prospective processing plant investors.
(Read more.)
In 2007 state actions brought about the
closure of processing plants in Texas
and Illinois that were the only
facilities in the United States
processing horsemeat for human
consumption. Currently, horses are
shipped to facilities in Mexico and
Canada for processing for human
consumption in Europe and Asia.
_______________________________________
Montana Lawmakers Ponder Slaughter Plant
Legislation
by:
Pat Raia
from
www.TheHorse.com
February 12 2009
Legislators in Montana are considering a
proposed measure to encourage private
investor horse slaughter plant
development in that state. The bill's
author says the measure is intended to
both create jobs in Montana, and address
the state's economy-driven unwanted
horse problem.
Sponsored by Rep. Edward B. Butcher, HB
418 prohibits state courts from granting
injunctions designed to stop or delay
construction of horse slaughter or
processing facilities based on permit or
licensing challenges or on environmental
grounds. The measure, now before the
state's House Agriculture Committee,
also requires individuals or groups
challenging building permits to submit a
surety bond representing 20% of the
value of the facility's estimated
building costs. The bill awards attorney
and court fees to plaintiffs in cases
District Courts deem harassing or
without merit.
"Basically, it says the state is
authorizing that a horse slaughter plant
can come in," Butcher said.
Montana's proximity to the Canadian
border makes the state an attractive
site for Canadian plant operators
looking to expand, Butcher said. Meat
would be shipped directly from Montana
international airports to offshore
markets.
In 2007 state actions brought about the
closure of processing plants in Texas
and Illinois that were the only
facilities in the United States
processing horses for human consumption.
Currently, horses are shipped to
facilities in Mexico and Canada for
processing for human consumption in
Europe and Asia.
Montana legislators are not the only
ones pondering plant development
legislation. Last week members of North
Dakota's House Agriculture Committee
approved HB 1496, a bill seeking $75,000
from the state agriculture department's
research fund to study whether current
North Dakota law supports processing
plant development. The North Dakota
House is set to vote on the measure this
week.
"We're an agricultural state with not a
lot of economic development
opportunities," said bill co-sponsor
Sen. Joe Miller. "So far, the
legislature has been very positive. So
have the people I've been talking with."
_____________________________________________
List of
States Introducing Slaughter Legislation
Grows
by:
Pat Raia from
www.TheHorse.com
February 19 2009
Twelve state legislatures are now
considering measures to express their
support of or actively encourage the
reestablishment of U.S. horse processing
plants.
Resolutions indicating opposition to HR
503, the federal Conyers-Burton
Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, which
would eliminate horse slaughter
nationwide and prohibit the export of
horses to slaughter are either under
consideration or have already passed in:
Arizona (SCM 1001)
Kansas (HCR 5004)
Minnesota (SF 133)
North Dakota (HB 1496)
South Dakota (SCR 2)
Utah (HJR 7)
Wyoming (HJR 8)
Bills amending state laws to promote
private investor plant development are
pending in:
Arkansas (HCR 1004)
Illinois (HB 0583)
Missouri (House, HCR 19 House;
Senate, SCR 8)
Montana (HB 418)
Tennessee (HB 1361)
The state measures were prompted by a
resolution submitted into the National
Conference of State Legislatures' (NCSL)
Agriculture and Energy Committee in
December 2008 by Wyoming State Rep. Sue
Wallis and then South Dakota State Rep.
Dave Sigdestad.
The NCSL is a bipartisan organization
that advocates for state governments'
interests before Congress and other
federal agencies. The resolution
encourages legislators in rural states
to promote horse processing on the basis
of generating jobs and addressing the
issue of unwanted horses.
"We want to take the emotion out of the
slaughter issue and look at it
economically," Sigdestad said. "These
bills are the only way we have to get
our voices heard in Washington."
Keep an eye on
www.TheHorse.com for updates
as this situation develops.
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!!!
SPECIAL BULLETIN !!! |
|
Fall 2008
UP TO 3 YR CRIMINAL
SENTENCE FOR "ANYONE WHO KNOWINGLY POSSESSES, SHIPS,
TRANSPORTS, PURCHASES, SELLS, DELIVERS OR RECEIVES A HORSE
WITH THE INTENT OF SLAUGHTERING THAT HORSE FOR HUMAN
CONSUMPTION"
The bill under consideration (H.R. 6598) would criminalize
the domestic or international sale, delivery or receipt
of horses for processing for human consumption.
The House passed a similar measure last year but not
the Senate.
9-08 read updates at this link to
NBC NEWS:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com:80/id/26860570
8-08 read more at this link to The Horse
Magazine:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=12408
|
|
WHOAZONE POLL
RESULTS: horse slaughter industry |
|
NOTE: in June of 2008, this poll was brought to
the attention of the anti-slaughter activists and was being
manipulated and used beyond its original intent. Based
on the first 6 months of activity BY OVER 500
AVERAGE HORSE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE PERFORMANCE HORSE
INDUSTRY results were as follows:
-
69% of reiners polled believe this issue is
"constitutional rights" related; 31% believe it is
"animal rights" related
-
98% of reiners polled believe horses are personal
property
-
78% of reiners polled support the slaughter horse
industry; 22% do not
|
Facts: (refer
to
MORE INFORMATION links below)
-
slaughtering horses in the US
is illegal; Congress banned using taxpayer funds to
inspect horse meat, which stopped horse slaughter in the
United States because US federal law requires the
inspection of all meat.
-
the
estimated US horse population was 9.2 million in 2005 (American Horse Council)
-
94,000+ horses were
slaughtered and processed in the US in 2005 (American Horse Council)
-
world-wide
human horse meat consumption was the equivalent of 4.7
million horses in 2005 (American
Horse Council)
-
the 3 US horse processing
plants contributed less than 2.5% of the world's horse
meat consumption
-
USDA inspectors and
veterinarians were employed full time to regulate every aspect of
horses' care, treatment and handling
while en route and
at processing plants (not the case in other countries)
-
the highly publicized story
of 1986 Kentucky Derby Winner, Ferdinand, being
slaughtered and eaten by Japanese often fails to mention
that Ferdinand was slaughtered in Japan, not
the US. US legislation does nothing to influence
world wide horse consumption.
-
the largest European
consumers of horse meat are Belgium, Italy and France
-
graphic
anti-slaughter propaganda film depicting inhumane horse
slaughter is filmed in Mexico, not the US.
-
AQHA supports horse
slaughter;
the National
Thoroughbred Racing Association
does not
Time Line:
(refer to
MORE INFORMATION links below)
-
1998 -
California voters approved the nation's first and only
state law outlawing the killing of horses for human
consumption
-
2002 - Congress
upholds "livestock" status of equines (versus
'companion animal' status). In the context of taxes
and other issues, 'agricultural' status offers many
benefits.
-
2005 - Congress banned using taxpayer funds to
inspect horse meat, which stopped horse slaughter in the
United States because US federal law requires the
inspection of all meat
-
2006 - the 2005
Congress Bill banning using tax payer money to inspect
horse meat is reversed
-
2006 - Horse
Protection Act (HR
503) passes, and is immediately tabled for
reconsideration on future calendar. Bill prohibits the "shipping, transporting,
moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing,
selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be
slaughtered for human consumption" and
gives the gov't the right to
detain, test, and gather evidence from "any
horse at any horse show, horse exhibition, or horse sale
or auction that is sore or which the Secretary has
probable cause to believe is sore"
-
2007 - Texas upholds
the 1949 state law banning the sale of horsemeat for
human consumption in Texas. Two Texas processing
plants cease operation.
-
2007 - The federal
district court orders the U.S. Department of Agriculture
to stop inspecting horses slaughtered at the last
operating slaughterhouse in the US. The
plant ceases operation.
-
Fall 2007 - no equine
processing plants are operational in the United States.
Horses are now transported to Canada and Mexico for
processing - facing longer hauls, harsher conditions,
and little or no humane regulation.
-
February 2008 -
proposed legislation S 311 awaits consideration in Congress
(the revisiting of the passed bill HR 503)
-
June 2008 -
COURT REJECTS APPEAL TO ILLINOIS HORSE SLAUGHTER BAN:
The Supreme Court has declined an appeal from the owners
of a horse slaughtering plant who challenged an Illinois
law prohibiting the killing of horses for human
consumption. Cavel International Inc. closed its plant
in DeKalb, Ill., last year after a federal appeals court
upheld the ban. The company urged the justices to step
in to allow the facility to reopen. The court did not
comment on its order Monday.
|
The Issue:
Until recently, there were 3
USDA regulated and inspected horse processing plants in
the US that handled
60,000 to 90,000 horses per year. In 2007, legislation
forced the closure of all 3 plants. Horses intended
for slaughter are now shipped for processing to Canada and
Mexico (further and under much harsher, non-regulated
conditions).
The issue of slaughtering horses
for human consumption and other productive uses is highly
controversial to many people for many reasons. But is the processing of
equines for productive use truly 'cruelty' or is it simply a
necessary evil in our society? Over 200 related
organizations, including the American Association of Equine
Practitioners (AAEP) and the Animal Welfare Council, support
slaughter as an outlet for unwanted horses in the US.
Cats and Dogs:
Consider another subject dear to
our heart in this country - cats and dogs. Despite all the
extensive adoption and
educational campaigns, as many as 5 million unwanted
dogs and cats are euthanized annually at a tremendous
financial burden to local governments. Since it is
physically impossible to find homes for every animal in
need, this is the only viable solution to keeping
these millions of pets from potentially suffering a worse
fate - neglected, abused or feral on the streets and hills
of our nation. (*see footnote
below)
Are horses different? If so, how? Most animal
rights activists condone 'humane euthanasia' for unwanted
horses, just not slaughter. The US Congress has concluded
that the means of humanely ending an equine's life per
federally regulated processing plant policy "prevents
needless suffering" (Humane Slaughter Act). So it
seems that the most heated controversy surrounds 1) the
transport
conditions and care of horses intended for slaughter and 2)
the usability of an equine's carcass once dead.
'Rights' or Wrong?
Many would argue the larger
controversy surrounding this issue is not that of animal
rights, but rather, the constitutional rights of all US citizens.
This country was founded on the premise that people did not
want to be micro-managed by their government (Boston Tea Party
ring a bell?). We put such emphasis on our social
freedoms - freedom to vote, speak, work, play and practice
the religion of our choice - yet legislation pertaining to this issue
is dictating the management of our personal property.
In this country, animals ARE
still considered personal property.
Bottom line here? If a person
no longer wishes to own an animal, do they have the right to
sell it to whomever they please? Does a person
have the right to participate in a world-wide industry, as
long as he complies with all governmental regulations pertaining to
that industry? Does the US government
have the right to determine what is or what is not a 'meat
animal'? These questions reach much further than whether
or not horse slaughter is 'tasteful' to the average
American.
No one has proposed
a law mandating the slaughter of unwanted horses. Anyone can go to their local sale barn and rescue as
many horses as they want for one $5 bid above the killer
buyer. Anyone can give their horse to a rescue
group or euthanize their horse for any reason through a
veterinarian. But if the government
is allowed to tell you where or how to dispose of an unwanted horse,
what may be next? For instance, there is a
proposed congressional Bill 282 that would give Mississippi restaurant owners
the right to refuse to serve obese people (see
http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2008/01/no-fat-people-allowed-only-slim-will-be.html
).
Extreme? Never happen? Ask the guy who sent hate
mail and threatened to sue Whoazone on grounds of promoting
cruelty to animals (via reining). Ask the people who want
to ban rodeo, ban cows from grazing public lands, ban
milking dairy cows because their calves are taken at birth?
The list goes on.
Information and opinions on the
pros and cons of this topic are nearly limitless, as are
organizations with which to register your support or to whom
to send your money. All we wanted to do here was
provide some basic facts, figures, and web resources, and
most importantly, advise horse owners of the actual
wording of pertinent horse-related legislation that HAS BEEN
PASSED and WILL
eventually affect the entire horse industry - slaughter and
otherwise. Regardless of your opinion on this issue,
there are some basic horse owner rights at stake, and we
thought every horse owner should know.
*FOOTNOTE: in Los Angeles, CA, a law has been passed
requiring the spay and neuter of all pets. An id
chipping rule is also part of this law.
Proponents say requiring the sterilization of all pets will
reduce the number of euthanized animals (estimated currently
at 15,000 in L.A. annually) and encourage responsible pet
ownership. They claim the law will help control the
problems of gangs breeding vicious dogs and 'puppy mills'
producing sub-standard animals.
Opponents to the law say that, historically, mandatory spay
and neuter regulations have actually increased the numbers
of unwanted/unclaimed pets. When stray animals fall
into the hands of animal control or local shelters, owners
are much less likely to claim them due to potential fines
for being in violation of the law. Opponents also
claim this law will have little influence on gang
involvement and 'puppy mills' - owner groups who are
unlikely to abide by the spay/neuter law, or any pet-related
regulatory measures.
QUESTIONS: Does any facet of government have the right to
require mandatory id chipping and sterilization of a
targeted group of animals? Should citizens maintain
the right to breed their animals if they so desire? Do
regulatory laws mainly impact law-abiding residents, or do
they influence less compliant citizens as well?
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WHERE DOES EVERYONE ELSE
STAND ON THE ISSUE?
LEGISLATION:
-
4-15-08!
Reports from Capitol
Hill indicate Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana is
attempting to add her legislation, Senate Bill 311, to
the Supplemental Spending Bill providing urgently needed
funding for our troops. At a time when the Senator
should be concerned about our troops in Iraq, the
economy and rebuilding New Orleans, she is clearly more
concerned with forwarding her own private initiatives.
Landrieu’s legislation is extremely detrimental to the
horse industry and adding it as a rider to funding for
our troops is an abuse of the legislative process.
Congressman Jerry Lewis R-Calif, the Ranking Member on
the House Appropriations Committee has warned, “We must
have a clean supplemental, free of contentious riders
and veto triggers which would delay much-needed funding
for our troops.”
S311 is legislation that
“amends the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the
shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving,
possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses
and other equines to be slaughtered for human
consumption and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture
to detain for examination, testing, or the taking of
evidence: (1) any horse at any horse show, horse
exhibition, or horse sale or auction that is sore or
which the Secretary has probable cause to believe is
sore; and (2) any horse or other equine that the
Secretary has probable cause to believe is being
shipped, transported, moved, delivered, received,
possessed, purchased, sold, or donated in violation of
such prohibition. It increases appropriations to carry
out such Act.”
Please call Senator Mary
Landrieu’s office and tell her to focus on providing the
necessary funding for our troops, not on harming the
horse industry. Mary Landrieu can be reached at her
Washington, DC Office at (202) 224-5824 or via her
webform for email at
http://landrieu.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm
Landrieu’s State Offices;
New Orleans (504) 589-2427
Baton Rouge (225) 389-0395
Shreveport (318) 676-3085
Lake Charles (337) 436-6650
-
proposed: S. 311 -
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=main&bill=s110-311
-
passed Sept 2006: HR 503
-
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-503
HORSE MEAT CONSUMPTION AROUND
THE WORLD
MORE INFORMATION:
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
REPRESENTATIVE: (directory)
OFFER COMMENTS ON OTHER SITES/PETITIONS:
HORSE RESCUE GROUPS:
Disclosure:
Whoazone's intent is to educate and involve NRHA's membership regarding the
political, functional and administrational issues facing the horse
industry and NRHA.
Comments and viewpoints represented herein are not necessarily those of Whoazone.com.
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