 Congressional leaders renew their commitment to stop the slaughter of American equinesToday, U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced legislation to permanently ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption. The Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act would also prohibit the export of live horses to Mexican and Canadian slaughterhouses to be sold overseas. “The slaughter of horses for human consumption is a barbaric practice that has no place in America,” Buchanan said. “I look forward to continuing to lead the effort with Congresswoman Schakowsky to ban domestic horse slaughter and end the export of horses abroad for the same purpose.” Congresswoman Schakowsky said, “For centuries, horses have embodied the spirit of American freedom and pride. They are our companions, work partners, entertainers, and athletes. With such a special place in our nation’s history it’s beyond time that we end the brutal practice of slaughtering these majestic creatures as food for humans. I am proud to reintroduce the SAFE Act with Congressman Buchanan and offer legislation that will finally close a loophole to end the slaughter of American horses for human consumption, both domestically and abroad.” The Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) ActThe "SAFE Act of 2021" would amend Section 5 of the Horse Protection Act (15 U.S.C. 1824) 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 for other purposes". Specific language offered to modify the HPA include:
 Thousands of equines are currently transported across US borders to be slaughtered. The SAFE Act aims to end that practice. We caught up with Representatives Janice Schakwosky (D-IL) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL) to learn more about the act, its current status and why they believe it’s necessary. An estimated *80,000 to 100,000 equines are transported across US borders to Mexico or Canada for slaughter. The Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act, first introduced in 2013, is intended to ban both horse slaughter and exportation of slaughter-bound horses. Horse slaughter has been prohibited in the US since 2007 following a ruling from the US District Court for the District of Columbia declaring it illegal for horse slaughterhouses to pay the USDA for their own horse meat inspection, closing a loophole which allowed slaughter to continue around a federal law enacted in 2005 which defunded the inspection of horses and horse meat. Under current legislation, the prohibition on slaughter is subject to annual renewal via the appropriations process. An estimated *80,000 to 100,000 equines are transported across US borders to Mexico or Canada for slaughter. The Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act, first introduced in 2013, is intended to ban both horse slaughter and exportation of slaughter-bound horses. Horse slaughter has been prohibited in the US since 2007 following a ruling from the US District Court for the District of Columbia declaring it illegal for horse slaughterhouses to pay the USDA for their own horse meat inspection, closing a loophole which allowed slaughter to continue around a federal law enacted in 2005 which defunded the inspection of horses and horse meat. Under current legislation, the prohibition on slaughter is subject to annual renewal via the appropriations process.  The current version of the SAFE Act, H.R. 961, is spearheaded by Representatives Janice Schakowsky (D-IL) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL). Said Buchanan, “More than 100,000 American horses are exported to Canadian and Mexican slaughterhouses each year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The SAFE Act would ban both the slaughter of horses for human consumption within the United States and the export of horses to be slaughtered outside the U.S.” Schakowsky added, “The SAFE Act ensures that we don’t make equine consumption a thing here in the United States. Because horses are not raised for food, they are routinely given hundreds of drugs over their lifetimes that are prohibited by the FDA from being used in animals intended for human consumption. Those drugs, although safe for horses, have potential toxic impacts on human health if they enter the food supply. Last year, more than 80,000 American horses were transported to bordering countries for slaughter to satisfy overseas consumers. These horses often suffer long journeys without adequate food, water, or rest. Additionally, the domestic prohibition on horse slaughter for human consumption is subject to the annual appropriations process. It’s up to us to institute more lasting protections for these majestic animals and the health of people both here in the U.S. and around the world.”  When asked about the Act’s chances of being signed into law, Buchanan said, “We feel much more optimistic and have continued to garner broad support for this important bill, including nearly 200 co-sponsors in the U.S. House.” Schakowsky emphasized the act “actually has strong support on both sides of the aisle,” adding, “I believe we can get it passed this Congress.” Schakowsky mentioned the act has over 200 cosponsors with 22 being republicans, which she attributes to members of both parties recognizing “how horses have long represented the spirit and freedom of America and it’s time to protect them from treatment that opposes our nation’s values.”
The SAFE Act falls under the jurisdiction of two committees: Energy & Commerce and Agriculture. Within Energy & Commerce, it was referred to the Health Subcommittee because of its close association with the FDA. The act was also referred to the Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee, where, said Schakowsky, “we are working closely with Reps. Eshoo and Peterson [Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Collin Peterson (D-MN)] — the chairs of their respective subcommittees — to hold hearings on the SAFE Act and other horse issues in the upcoming session.” When asked about enforcement of the act if passed, Schakowsky said the following: “Because the SAFE Act would obtain its authority through the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, it would be enforced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the same ways they enforce other laws and provisions. Currently, horse slaughter in the U.S. is prevented through the appropriations process. The SAFE Act is vital because it would permanently prohibit domestic horse slaughter and address the exportation of American horses to foreign countries for slaughter.” Source: Horse Nation Today U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan and Jan Schakowsky reintroduced The Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act, H.R.961, to permanently ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption. The SAFE Act would also prohibit the export of live horses to Mexican and Canadian slaughterhouses to be sold overseas.  “The slaughter of horses for consumption is a barbaric practice that has no place in America,” Buchanan said. “I will continue to lead the effort with Congresswoman Schakowsky to ban domestic horse slaughter and end the export of horses abroad for the same purpose.” “Horses have a special place in our nation’s history, and these majestic creatures were not raised as food for humans,” Schakowsky said. “The SAFE Act would prohibit any horse slaughter plant from opening; and also end the sale or transport of horses and horse parts in the U.S. and abroad for the purpose of human consumption. I am proud to reintroduce this bill and work with Congressman Buchanan to put an end to this practice.” Although the practice is currently illegal in the United States, the ban is temporary and subject to annual congressional review. Last year, Buchanan was instrumental in extending the temporary prohibition which was signed into law by President Trump. No federal law exists to prohibit the transport of horses across American borders for slaughter in Canada or Mexico. More than 100,000 American horses are exported to Canadian and Mexican slaughterhouses each year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Those horses are butchered and then transported overseas for consumption in Japan, Italy and other countries. More than 90 percent of these horses were healthy and in good condition. Help Pass The SAFE Act to End the Slaughter of American Horses >> |
TOPICS+ Horse Slaughter
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