Horse Slaughter Facts
There's no such thing as a commercial horse slaughter plant that doesn't inflict cruelty on horses. And horse slaughter isn't only bad for horses, it’s also bad for people and communities. Listed below are concise facts, recent history, and current developments on the Horse Slaughter issue:
FACTS
- American horse meat is unsafe for human consumption. Because horses are not raised as food animals in this country, they are given medications and other toxic substances that are expressly forbidden for use in animals intended for human consumption. There is currently no system in place to trace the drug histories of American horses.
- Horse slaughter is inherently cruel and inhumane. Because horses' instinctual flight response makes them ill-suited for stunning, they often endure repeated blows and sometimes remain conscious during their dismemberment. The scarcity of horse slaughter plants for this small, low-demand industry means that horses are trucked long distances without food,water or rest. Many are injured or die in transit.
- A 2012 national poll revealed that 80% of Americans favor a ban on horse slaughter and recognize that we have a responsibility to protect these intelligent, sensitive animals from being butchered.
- Subsidizing horse slaughter cruelty will divert precious food safety resources away from products that Americans eat. Secretary Vilsack has made clear that budget cuts associated with the sequester will require furloughing food safety inspectors. At a time when the nation is focused on fiscal responsibility, it is outrageous that Congress would allow tax dollars to be wasted on horse slaughter, a cruel practice that benefits only foreign markets.
- Horse slaughter is inherently cruel and inhumane. Because horses' instinctual flight response makes them ill-suited for stunning, they often endure repeated blows and sometimes remain conscious during their dismemberment. The scarcity of horse slaughter plants for this small, low-demand industry means that horses are trucked long distances without food,water or rest. Many are injured or die in transit.
- A 2012 national poll revealed that 80% of Americans favor a ban on horse slaughter and recognize that we have a responsibility to protect these intelligent, sensitive animals from being butchered.
- Subsidizing horse slaughter cruelty will divert precious food safety resources away from products that Americans eat. Secretary Vilsack has made clear that budget cuts associated with the sequester will require furloughing food safety inspectors. At a time when the nation is focused on fiscal responsibility, it is outrageous that Congress would allow tax dollars to be wasted on horse slaughter, a cruel practice that benefits only foreign markets.
THE PAST
The last three U.S. horse slaughterhouses were shut down in 2007. In 2006, these facilities—two in Texas, one in Illinois, all foreign-owned—killed and processed more than 90,000 horses for human consumption. Americans don't eat horse meat, so it was shipped overseas to countries like France, Belgium and Japan.
The owners of these slaughtering plants paid no export taxes and little in income taxes. The slaughterhouses themselves were not clean/green enterprises, and proved to be environmentally damaging as well as economically draining. It's telling that Texas and Illinois have implemented laws specifically banning selling, giving and possessing horse meat intended for human consumption: States with experience hosting horse slaughter facilities don't want them back.
The owners of these slaughtering plants paid no export taxes and little in income taxes. The slaughterhouses themselves were not clean/green enterprises, and proved to be environmentally damaging as well as economically draining. It's telling that Texas and Illinois have implemented laws specifically banning selling, giving and possessing horse meat intended for human consumption: States with experience hosting horse slaughter facilities don't want them back.
Recent State Legislation
- Oklahoma lifted its 50-year ban on the practice March 29, 2013 when Gov. Mary Fallin signed a new law that will allow facilities to process and export horsemeat. This new law went into effect November 1, 2013.
- In New Mexico, a bill (H.B. 90) introduced in the state house on Jan. 16 would allocate money for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to study the feasibility of locating a horse slaughter facility in the state.
- The New York State Assembly is considering a bill (A.B. 3905) introduced January 28, 2013 that would prohibit the slaughter of horses intended for human consumption and the export of horse meat.
- Maine’s House of Representatives introduced a horse slaughter bill (L.D. 1286) on March 28, 2013.
- Oklahoma lifted its 50-year ban on the practice March 29, 2013 when Gov. Mary Fallin signed a new law that will allow facilities to process and export horsemeat. This new law went into effect November 1, 2013.
- In New Mexico, a bill (H.B. 90) introduced in the state house on Jan. 16 would allocate money for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to study the feasibility of locating a horse slaughter facility in the state.
- The New York State Assembly is considering a bill (A.B. 3905) introduced January 28, 2013 that would prohibit the slaughter of horses intended for human consumption and the export of horse meat.
- Maine’s House of Representatives introduced a horse slaughter bill (L.D. 1286) on March 28, 2013.
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2019 National Legislation
The Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act, H.R.961 will ban horse slaughter facilities within the USA, end the current export of American horses for slaughter abroad, and protect the public from consuming toxic horsemeat. We urge to join the effort to pass The SAFE Act by reaching out to your federal legislators.
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