For Years U.S. Slaughter of Horses Has Been an Emotional Issue
Posted: December 9, 2011
By Ann Swinker, Extension Horse Specialist
Recently, President Barrack Obama signed in law a Congressional spending bill that authorized the return of USDA inspections of horse meat and plants, clearing the way for horse slaughterhouse operations in the United States. This Congressional action has nothing to do with authorizing horse slaughterhouses. However, slaughterhouses in the U. S. are and have been legal in most states. But without USDA meat inspections, horse meat cannot be shipped to buyers throughout the world. World-wide export of this product is need because the U.S. has not traditionally consumed this product. It has been predicted, if these plant open up and they start exporting this product, this will increase the bottom line value of the animal and will provide an advantage for horse owners. The unwanted horse issue, of placing over 100,000 equine per year, will resolve itself. But as we all know “slaughter of horses is an emotional issue”.
Listed below are several articles related to the outcomes of the Congressional action. Take a look at them and draw your own conclusions. United Horsemen, as well as other pro-slaughter groups, pushed Congress to allow USDA inspections of horse slaughterhouses. Many horse groups feel that “Restoring responsible and humane processing is a good step in the right direction”. All groups believe that we need a plan for dealing with the ever-growing overpopulation of horses in the United States.
AQHA President Peter J. Cofrancesco sat down exclusively with GoHorseShow.com and discussed the very controversial issue of horse slaughter in a question and answer session.
AQHA President Discusses Lift of Ban on Horse Slaughter - GoHorseShow.com
Press release from the United State Cattlemen’s Association Congress Takes Initial Step Toward Ensuring the Humane Treatment of Horses
Sue Wallis United Horseman’s aired on the AirTalk with Larry Mantle in Los Angeles - along with someone from the Humane Society to talk about horses. Their URS is http://www.scpr.org/programs/airtalk/2011/12/06/21640/domestic-horse-slaughter#disqus_thread.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says they will protest any new slaughterhouses, calling it a “heartbreaking development.” But the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) argues that the ban on horse meat inspections has increased horse neglect and abandonment, and says they are temporarily supporting the new law.
