FEDERAL LEGISLATION & REGULATION

H.R. 503 (Slaughter bill introduced in house with same number as last session.) A bill to amend the Horse Protection Act 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; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

S. 311. (Companion Senate Bill) A bill to amend the Horse Protection Act 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

UPDATE: Passed the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on April 25, 2007.

Update on processing in the U.S. 

Through passage of state legislation and court cases, animal rights activists have been successful in getting the plants in the U.S. The result is outlined in below articles showing abandoned, abused and neglected horses as well as a sharp drop in the price of horses in the U.S. 

Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2008 (HR 6278)

To amend title 49, United States Code, to prohibit the transportation of horses in interstate transportation in a motor vehicle containing 2 or more levels stacked on top of one another.
Click here for the current status: http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.06278

Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008 (H.R. 6598)

On July 24, 2008 Representative John Conyers (D-MI) introduced the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008 (H.R.6598).  The bill, which has twelve cosponsors, was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.  Mr. Conyers is chairman of that committee.

This bill would criminalize the possession, transport, sale, delivery, or receiving in interstate or foreign commerce of a horse or horse meat with the intent that it be used for human consumption.  It would thus apply to the transport and sale of horses for slaughter in the U.S. or a foreign country. Penalties would include fines and/or one year imprisonment for a first offense or one involving five or fewer horses.   Offenses involving more than five horses or repeat offenders would face increased fines and/or up to three years imprisonment. The Attorney General would take custody of any horses seized under the bill and provide for their placement or disposition.

The bill amends Title 18 of the U.S. criminal code, which deals with animal cruelty prohibitions. A hearing was held in the Crime Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee on July 31, 2008 with former Rep. Charles Stenholm and Dr. Doug Corey, representing American Association of Equine Practitioners, speaking in opposition of the bill.  Dr. Corey expressed concerns that this bill does not provide for the unwanted horses. No action was taken in the subcommittee.

Click here for the current status:  http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.06598

Article on the United States prohibition of horse slaughter, written by Dr. Terry Whiting, Chair of the CVMA Animal Welfare Committee and published in the November 2007 issue of The Canadian Veterinary Journal: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=2034431&blobtype=pdf

The state of equine welfare in the United States has suffered since the closure of the processing plants with no provisions put into place, many supporting a federal bill have indicated that this is not the case.  Following are some articles regarding the situation:

Horse Neglect Uncovered ( Montana )
http://www.kulr8.com/news/local/25877414.html

Neglect case strains caretakers to breaking point ( Tennessee )
http://www.tricities.com/tri/news/local/article/neglect_case_strains_horse_caretakers_to_breaking_point/12062/

Horse experts see more neglect ( Montana )
http://www.theprairiestar.com/articles/2008/08/01/ag_news/livestock/lives11.txt


More Problem Horses Found ( Illinois )
http://www.daily-journal.com/archives/dj/display.php?id=424981

Owner gets jail in horse abuse case
http://communitynewspapergroup.com/articles/2008/07/10/oelwein_daily_register/news/doc48762d7e51298211000035.txt

Neglected horses roam South Florida Ranch ( Florida )
http://cbs4.com/pets/horses.south.miami.2.779884.html

Ollala man charged with horse neglect (WA)
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/feb/08/man-charged-in-horse-neglect-case/

48 horses seized from farm (VA)
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-01-24-0223.html

Horse found abandoned in CA euthanized (CA)
http://www.californianonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080116/NEWS01/80116014/1002

Old and unwanted (IA)
http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080213/NEWS/843678899/1006/news

Jackson County horse care bill:  $133,031 (MI)
http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/02/jackson_county_horse_care_bill.html