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Categories: Horse News

American horse slaughter ban left out of 2012 agriculture appropriations bill

It’s not what the 2012 agriculture appropriations
bill does say that has animal welfare advocates concerned. But what it doesn’t say
is stirring controversy.



Since 2005, no federal money could be used
to inspect horse meat, effectively ending the horse slaughter industry in the
United States. The new appropriations bill, which passed the House of
Representatives on Nov. 17, no longer includes that restriction.



The horse industry is divided on the issue of horse
slaughter. Proponents argue that domestic slaughter plants are more humane than
foreign ones, and horses don’t have to travel as far to get to them. They also
suggest that the horse market needs kill buyers to keep prices up. Opponents
say that commercial slaughter is inherently inhumane for horses, that horses
are not raised as meat animals and are therefore contaminated with chemicals
that are harmful to humans, and that a domestic slaughter industry increases
the incidence of horse theft.

According to surveys, approximately 70% of
Americans are opposed
to the practice of slaughtering horses for meat. There is no viable market for horse meat in the United States, but when the slaughter industry existed prior to 2006, the meat was exported to parts of Asia and Europe where it is considered a delicacy.

Several states had looked into working around the
former ban to open slaughter houses, including Wyoming, Montana and Nebraska,
among others.

“For the first time since 2005, the de-facto ban
on horse processing has been taken off the table,” Congressman Adrian Smith
(R-NE). “While we have a long way to go, responsible processing represents a
vital first step in reversing the unintended consequences to blame for the
dismal state of neglected horses and their frustrated caregivers across our
country. Reinstating a humane, accountable, and legal management tool is good
for horses, good for owners, and is good policy.”

Agriculture appropriations was only one part of the
Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science & Transportation-HUD Appropriations
Bill, which also included a necessary resolution to continue to fund the federal
government through December 16. It could not be amended after being approved in committee. Because of this, some members of congress who
have historically opposed horse slaughter voted the appropriations through.

“Funding the
government and paying our bills are the primary responsibilities of Congress,”
said Jim Moran (D-VA). “This legislation, while imperfect, is responsible in
that it keeps the government up and running while the remaining appropriations
bills await final consideration.

“While
I ultimately supported this appropriations bill, I have serious objections with
the conference committee’s decision to remove House-approved language
preventing horse slaughter, language that had been in the bill for the past
five years and I authored this year.

“I am committed to doing
everything in my power to prevent the resumption of horse slaughter and will
force Congress to debate this important policy in an open, democratic manner at
every opportunity. Now, more than ever, it is crucial that Congress pass
the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 2966) to permanently prohibit
the slaughter of American horses.”

To contact your representatives regarding the
American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, click here.

To contact your senator, click here.

View Comments

  • Do not believe for one second that all of Congress and its committees were not 'aware' of this being pushed through. It's how they operate.
    It is all about money, like the New York Times quoted years ago and like many of us have been yelling. The only way to stop horse slaughter is to make it profitable not to or by stopping horse over population.
    Horses are not breed for consumption and logically should not be under USDA. But they are so let's move on.
    The best way to stop horse over population is to cull all breeding incentives (crazy expenses paid to indulged breeders who utilize slaughter to rid of horses that don't make champions) and then create a foal impact fee. Gradually, horse slaughter will stop because of what they really want - MONEY. Let's give it to them.
    Put your time and money where your heart and logic lives and send fax or petition to Congress today.
    Most Sincerely,
    Stephanie M Sellers
    Horses as National Treasure - petition site

  • I am disgusted and outraged. Our representatives are apparently being paid off to ignore the outcry of the majority of the country. All the countless phone calls, emails, and petitions were for nothing, and it is a crime against humanity and against these horses. Go to the Humane Society's website and view videos of horses being slaughtered if you think it's humane. Mares giving birth on the slaughterhouse floor, horses still conscious strung up by their hind legs bleeding out. This should be illegal!!!

  • Don't like horse slaughter one bit. I suggest if it is to be , then there needs to be regulations insurring safe and humane transport, appropriate care up to the point of slaughter. No more over packed trucks etc..
    Wish there was a better solution for the number of unwanted horses.

  • OK first of all what I am about to say is because I LOVE horses ok. Now horse slaughter could be a good thing tens of thousands of horses are starving to death each year. It's not fair but its true. Horse slaughter should be opened but with restrictions, such as young horses and healthy horses should not be allowed to be slaughtered. Mean, old, crippled horses or the horses that are left to die each year should be killed quickly and painlessly. There should be no farms of horses for slaughter, but if you had horses would you want them to die slowly and painfully? Because chances are if you can't afford to feed your horses you can't afford to shell out 300 dollars to have them put down. You could shoot them, but why not let some small good come out of the bad. Anyways I have 8 horses and want to train and help them but sometimes the horriable sounding ideas are the ideas that could be the good ideas. Sorry to any people I have affened. God Bless to you and all horses.

  • Good 70% of americans dont have an unwanted horse.
    If you dont want a horse slaughtered humanely at the
    End of its priductive life buy it andfeed it
    ThAnks

  • We don't raise cattle from birth to trust us and not to hurt us.. to allow us to ride them and share amazing experiences and often decades of a mutually satisfying relationship. When you take an animal like a horse that is so reactive and fearful when put into horrendous situations, especially horses that have trusted people for their entire life, and condemn their last days to pain and terror, thirst and hunger, and finally a terror pain filled death, there is a reason to question your humanity. And For What? A few hundred dollars? After years of service? Why not a bullet to the brain, quick, pain and terror free? Why not the MERCY of a veterinarian's visit? Why would anyone be SO greedy as to inflict such horrors on a horse? Days of cramped travel that comes to an end that no human being should wish on a species which has only served mankind.. in wars.. in agriculture... and now for companionship and enjoying our country's beautiful places in forms of recreation that would not be possible in any other way.? SUCH A LACK OF MERCY TO ONE OF GOD'S CREATURES FOR JUST PLAIN GREED will be answered for. I hope it will not take long for those who have condoned this to HAVE to answer!

  • If you are the small precent that think horse slaughter will fix the problems over breeders and the Associations created think again. David D of Nebraska a pro slaughter advocate has his goals to allow horse slaughter in America again. He claims it will bring jobs, taxes and value to horses.. hahaha yeah right.
    1. Before horse slaughter was haulted by pulling the funds to USDA inpectors. Which American tax payers were forking $5 Million dollars a year for Foreign profits.
    2. These plants did NOT pay gross income taxes or export tariffs as MOST Americans are required too.
    3. David claims it will stop abuse and neglect. RIGHT it sure didnt before 2007. According to USDA Freedom of informations Acts. It promoted abuse and neglect.
    4. Horse slaughter is merely a reward for irresponsile people.
    5. Pro slaughter Advocates have lied to others that if horse slaughter is stopped Beef, Pork, and poultry will be next.
    6.Fact Pro slaughter Advocates have NO HISTORY of promoting or donating to any horse recsues in the US.
    7.Davids states that allowing a third party to micro chip horses on a NO SLAUGTER POLICY will protect horses.. DUH isnt this what the SouthWestern Cattle Raisers Associations were paid $3.00 per horse slaughtered in Texas to do and failed because the scaning for chips would take to much time and slow the slaughter lines.
    8.David also fails to mention these plants operated illegal for years you would think any Pro slaughter Advocate that supported slaughter would make sure they would be legal to operate in any or that state. HECK NO..
    9. Pro slaughter Advocates do NOT care for the horse its all about the buck. Horses were going to Mexico and Canada long before the illegal business were shut down.
    10. Dont be fooled by pro slaughter Advocates 90% Breed horses or are haulers and auctioneers that need each other to exist. Most break laws and are ignored until exposed and busted like Auctoneer Leroy Baker of Ohio Sugar Creek Auction. Leroy has been fined over $162,000 dollars and to date has NOT paid a single dime.. David does not menton that..
    11.David claims Anti slaughter folks are not horse owners Bullcrap. If he really would tell the truth it would hurt his goals.
    12. Sue Warus of Wy, has teamed up with David D to lie to the public and waste elected officials time when elected officials need to work on more respectable jobs that American Colleges provide education too.
    13. Im sure there will not be a college course to slaughter a horse in the future..
    14. Most jobs from a horse slaughter plant will promote jobs to illegals as they did in the past.
    15. I dont see David or Sue accepting applications for the plants to make sure there is a experence horse killer around..
    16. killing horses will NOT be humane its a fast procedure.

  • When the number of starved and neglected horses skyrockets, when you find starving horses dumped in the 'wild' and on Indian reservations, when debilitated, ill, or terminally ill horses are allowed to suffer because the owners cannot afford veterinary care for them or even to feed them, then you will know why slaugterhouses are a necessary evil.

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