Horse slaughter ban included in proposed 2014 U.S. budget

Horse slaughter is not presently illegal in the United States, but no commercial operations currently exist due to past regulations and an American public that is largely unsupportive of the industry. Players on both sides of the horse meat debate have been struggling for a decisive victory for years, but without a comprehensive law on the books defining the legality of the industry, a concrete answer has been elusive.

A recent budget proposal for 2014 released by the White House would help swing the pendulum in the favor of the anti-horse-slaughter camp. From 2006 through 2011, the agriculture appropriations law included language banning federal funds from being used to pay for horse meat inspections. Federal inspections are required for meat exports, and so without those inspections, the horse meat industry in the United States was shut down.

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In 2012, the appropriations bill was passed without the horse meat inspection ban, opening the door for a re-emergence of an American horse slaughter industry. Business operators jumped on the opportunity, seeking to create a profitable business from what some see as a glut of so-called unwanted horses that would otherwise be exported to slaughter in Canada or Mexico. Currently, no American horse slaughterhouses have opened.

Surveys have shown that the vast majority of Americans are opposed to the slaughter of horses for human consumption, and elected officials are aware of this. The recent horse meat scandal in Europe has undoubtedly bolstered opposition to processing horse meat in the United States as consumers have become more concerned about the integrity of the food-supply chain.

In response to the horse meat debate, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has returned language outlawing commercial horse slaughter in the proposed 2014 budget. The relevant section states:

SEC. 725. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to pay the salaries or expenses of personnel to-(1) inspect horses under section 3 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 603); (2) inspect horses under section 903 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 1901 note; Public Law 104127); or (3) implement or enforce section 352.19 of title 9, Code of Federal Regulations.

Because new budgets are continually proposed and approved, this wording would have to be included every year in order for the ban to remain in place. Legislators have regularly introduced bills to make commercial horse slaughter illegal, most recently in the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act proposed last month. Previously, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act was introduced in multiple sessions of Congress, but never reached a full vote.

Further Reading
Timeline of Horse Slaughter Legislation

12 years ago

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PKL says:
April 12, 2013 at 5:33 am
What were they thinking....it is just plain wrong to use horses for meat, no matter what country would be using it.
NANCY says:
April 12, 2013 at 7:42 am
I hole hartely agree that horse slatter should not be allowed. Horses have proven to be the backbone of america, carrying solders into battle to make this country what it is today. Helped farmers feed america by plowing fields, pulling doctor carriages, moving settlers to new territories etc. HORSES in my opinion should be americas symble not the eagle!!!! What has the eagle done for america? Has he fought In battles and gave up his life for us? Pulled plows to help farmers grow food? ETC!!!! Instead after giving their ALL, they are thrown away like a useless commodity. AMERICA should rethink about this and find a better solution to help these majestic animals that have done so much for this country. They give their ALL every day in every deciplin. They deserve a better life after all they give.NOT SENT TO A HORRIBLE DEATH!!!!
Isabella says:
April 12, 2013 at 8:25 am
I agree with NANCY and PKL. Horse slaughter should be stopped. Once and for all! It is sickening that anyone would "support" the murdering and killing of horses, whether inhumanly of "humanly" (there is no such thing as killing an animal humanly). The government if finally opening their eyes some to what is going on behind the curtains. NANCY is totally true about how the HORSE should be America's symbol. NOT the EAGLE. 'Cause what has the EAGLE ever done for us??
Debbie says:
April 12, 2013 at 10:03 am
Horse Slaughter is a corrupt, disgusting venture for anyone who supports it they are just intersted in MONEY period, the the horse most certainly not!! I am so thankful that this was added to the budget now if it will pass with out some sneaky corrupt politian some how erasing it like before?? BUT we need to pass H.R. 1094 this ALL has to stop HOW can our GOV>>> turn a blinds eye year after year to all of our horses being taken across the border and especially in light of the horsemeat scandle... You know last year was the highest year in our horses going across the border ever, makes you wonder does it not!!! We need to get this Bill passed we really do have this stopped once and for all!! THEN and only then maybe the Breeders will be more responsible and the backyard owners too!!!!
Billie says:
April 12, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Stop Horse Slaughter!
Colleen says:
April 12, 2013 at 1:12 pm
Vehemently opposed to horse slaughter. Anyone who has ever owned a horse knows this animal has a heart & a soul. And those who haven't have admired this majestic animals beauty. It's a disgrace as is the slaughter & displacement of the wild horses in the west. All for money. Cattle owners. Disgusting. Where is the humanity?
Kathryn says:
April 12, 2013 at 1:39 pm
Budgets come and go, and zero funding can come and go. What will stop the slaughter of US horses? Passing the federal legislation banning horse slaughter for human consumption. Tell your US Congressman and two US Senators to support and cosponsor S.541 & HR.1094 now, the SAFE Act.
Find your state, find your elected members in DC:
http://votesmart.org/officials/NA/C/national-congressional#.UWhxAaKG2So
Know that some 160,000 US horses shipped to slaughter in Mexican and Canadian plants last year. Passing this legislation would prevent that bulk transport.
Billy says:
April 12, 2013 at 2:51 pm
What is the difference between Horse slaughter and beef Slaughter? I have horses and love my horses. i would support the slaughter of horses as long as it is done human way like cattle are now. Must be alot of veggie eatten people in this world.
Bill says:
April 12, 2013 at 6:20 pm
Really a horse has a heart and soul......please do not tell OBUMMER..he will get them a voter reg card!!! Pro HOrse Processing and DAMM PROUD OF IT! You bleeding hearts need to get a friggin life....it is the best meat you can eat
loving, bleeding heart says:
April 12, 2013 at 7:29 pm
I've seen enough about horse slaughter to decide for myself that I 100% think its time to stop it. I think its truly disgusting. My horse will be with me til the end.