The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) will soon be studying the impact of the closure of American equine slaughterhouses. The last American slaughterhouse was closed in 2007.
Section 744 continues the prohibition of USDA spending on inspection of horsemeat in the United States. Though there are currently no equine slaughterhouses in the country, this provision would apply if a company moves forward on constructing a new slaughter plant. When American slaughterhouses were operational, the primary market for the product was in parts of Europe and Japan, where horsemeat is an ingredient in some local specialty dishes.
Earlier this year, a Montana law sponsored by Republican Representative Ed Butcher cleared the way for the construction of an equine slaughterhouse in that state. He is currently seeking Chinese investors to operate the facility, though it is uncertain how the meat will be sold legally without USDA inspection as that inspection is required of all meat produced in the United States, regardless of where it is sold.
Furthermore, new European Union laws require any horse sold for human consumption to be identified as “intended for slaughter.” This means they must not have been treated with any chemicals, such as dewormers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or undergo a 180-day quarantine. The new EU law is expected to impact the market for American horses as meat animals.
One of the primary arguments of the pro-slaughter movement is that the closure of horse slaughter plants in the United States has directly contributed toward increased neglect and abandonment of American horses. A senate report accompanying H.R. 2997 directs the GAO to conduct a study on the current state of horse welfare in America as it relates to the end of the domestic slaughter industry. The study will specifically examine how horse welfare, horse rescue organizations, farm industry income, and overall horse sales, imports and exports have been affected by the slaughterhouse closures.
Results of this study are expected by March of 2010.
Is horse slaughter really a humane option? Read more >>
I think they should ban slaughter. There has to be a better way to deal with horses no one wants anymore or are off the race track.
Glad to see that scientific and economic factors are being considered instead of emotional reactions to this issue.
Dr. Rebecca Gimenez
good article
I’m glad to hear that the decision to ban slaughter is being upheld!
Such a dificult decision…
Hmm.
Federal inspection is not mandatory for all meat, regardless of where it is sold. If the product will not cross state lines, state inspection is sufficient. You are correct, however, that without federal inspection, the meat could not be exported. In addition, while it is illegal to produce horse meat for human consumption commercially in the US, it can be done privately.
The closure of horse slaughter plants in the U.S. did not contribute toward an increase of neglect & abused horses! The fact that the owner of the horse could no longer afford to keep the horse because he/she can barely make ends meet for their family has so much more to do with it! Abuse & neglect cases are recieving even more attention (publicly) now that the slaughter plants are closed (& they should stay that way). If people were to do more research & tests on horse slaughter, they would find out that slaughter is NOT a humane option! Do your “homework” before you make a decision on whether or not you should support slaughter. I am definately anti-slaughter.
1. Factory breeding farms, such as those involved with race horses, need to be brought into some accountability. This involves regulating the amount of breedings per horse, profits be damned.
2. The racing industry needs to stop racing horses under 3yo. With computers and the internet everywhere, horses don’t need to have a singular birthday.
Until these issues are addressed this will never be satisfactorily resolved. But its all about the money, isn’t it?
I think that the horse industry is terrible. I am a farmer and i drive along country roads everyday. If you get out and drive around and you will see numerous horses in poorly condition they are suffering. I am personally for the slaughter houses to reopen. it will not make only the animal not suffer,but they will be worth something. think about the horse suffering by starving to death.
the horse industry is no more terrible than any other, it has just as many dirty secrets. also, to lauren who states that we need to do more research to see that slaughter is inhumane, where is your research to back up your point? many of the arguments against horse slaughter are purely emotional and can easily be countered with buddhist in india who do not eat beef. secondly, while abuse and neglect may or may not be on the rise due to the closings, no one can deny that horses are being shipped to mexico where their ends are highly questionable. would you rather a horse be slaughtered humanely with the government overseeing things, or would you rather the horses be stabbed to death? finally, i’m a horse lover, but i am also practical; euthenasia and the rendering of the body is expensive and for some families it was simply cheaper to send an old horse off to slaughter. as for race track horses, yes, it is terrible to see perfectly healthy, young horses being sent off to slaughter, but cattle are treated much the same way. i for one personally believe that the government should reopen the slaughter plants, it creates competition in the market and gives decrepit and unwanted animals a place to go.
One Thing For Sure, Any Horse Lover would vote against the slaughter of horses. However, we are not governed by a one world society. The initial bill to end American Horse Slaughter was simply a ploy to attain more votes. As horses are a Majestic animal to most N. Americans. The beginning of this bull gave NO consideration to the animal. Given that either side of this content has access to slaughter houses. It is true, these shady horse dealers send whatever up the road to Texas. Keep them in feed lots and have them stabbed in the head by some mexican who doesnt Give a goddamn….its Hurrendous. We need Slaughter houses back in the USA and Every slaughter house should be HEAVILY regulated. I wish I owned 30 000 acres, was able to employ numerous trainers to teach these horses jobs. House the old and cure the weak. Its just not realistic. The bottom has be taken right out of the horse industry. It has to Change!!