Federal Bill to End Inhumane Equine Transport

Senator Kirk Introduces Bill to End Inhumane Transport of Horses Via Double Deck Trailers

Tuesday, June 28, 2011
 

Washington, D.C.  Late Monday night, Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced The Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2011 (S. 1281) to ban double deck trailer transportation of horses in the United States. Senator Kirk has worked to end the use of double deck transports for hauling horses since serving in the House of Representatives, following a horrific double deck trailer accident that took place in his state.

Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is elated that Senator Kirk has chosen to reassert his strong commitment to the issue since his election to the Senate last year, said Christine Sequenzia, federal policy advisor at AWI. Humane horse transportation is one of our top priorities and we felt that committee passage of a standalone bill during the 111^th Congress was an important step forward.  We now look forward to seeing the Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2011 signed into law. 

Double deck livestock trailers on the road today were built to meet the specific design and engineering requirements of short-necked livestock species, like cattle, sheep, and swine.  Unfortunately, a few irresponsible haulers have used these trailers against manufacturer intent to transport horses, leading to inhumane travel conditions for equines and unsafe roadways for drivers.  The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the National Agriculture Safety Database (NASD) have recommended ceiling heights no lower than 7-8 to transport horses safely, while average double deck trailer ceiling heights range from 4'7"-5'11".  The U.S. Department of Transportation only requires bridges to have a vertical clearance of 14' in both rural and urban areas, making it impractical to build or modify a trailer large enough to transport equines on two levels.

Besides being an inhumane way to transport horses, double-deck trailers pose a major safety threat to the drivers of the imbalanced, oversized vehicles, as well as to other motorists, said Senator Kirk. Unfortunately, crashes due to these factors have occurred, and the results of the accidents are devastating. Following an accident in 2007 in Wadsworth, Ill., authorities worked for five hours before they were able to free the horses from the wreckage.

Today, most professional horse haulers believe double deck trailer transportation of horses has been banned. While there are a few state laws prohibiting the use of double deck trailers, there are no federal guidelines regarding the humane transport of horses, other than those going to slaughter. Even those are flawed; current USDA regulations banning double deck transportation only cover horses heading directly to a slaughterhouse.  Horses bound anywhere else, or en route to a midpoint in their journey (such as an auction house or feedlot) legally may be hauled in a double deck trailer notwithstanding the cruelty.  The USDA has expressed a desire to strengthen regulations banning this inhumane practice, but has yet to take action on the matter.

The Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2011 (S.1281) is necessary to protect horses from being transported across the United States in a trailer having more than one level.  To learn more about this issue or to write a letter to your Senator in support of S. 1281, please visit http://www.compassionindex.org/.

###

Life Saving Film Launches Campaign to Go Far and Wide

Americans Against Horse Slaughter
Wild for Life Foundation
For Immediate Release
June 28, 2011

Life Saving Film Launches Campaign to Go Far and Wide

“Saving America’s Horses”, a cause driven film just started the festival circuit, and has already won multiple awards including BEST OF FESTIVAL at its first showing in Los Angeles and is getting rave reviews but…... the slaughter of our American Horses may never end unless our horses are able to tell their story.

Thousands of horses are exported every year to Canada and Mexico to be slaughtered for the purpose of wealthy dinner plates overseas, but "Saving America's Horses" is the life saving film that can change all that for our American horses.

• “A powerhouse narrative.” – Paula Bacon, Former Mayor Kaufman Texas
• “A brilliant and heartbreaking exposé.” — Laura Allen, Executive Director, Animal Law Coalition
• "Masterfully presented and balanced rather than filled with graphic images." – Larry Lindner, New York Times best-selling writer and former columnist for The Washington Post and The Boston Globe
• "It’s a life changing film!"—Michael Bailey, Producer/ Director Planetviews Productions, Environmentalist
• "Transcends the finest investigative journalism... A passionate reverence for all animals" —Debra Lopez, AAHS, Animal Advocate TV

Click here to see this important message now:
http://youtu.be/5lyuEtB0Nzc

Contact:
Americans Against Horse Slaughter at aahsus[@]gmail.com about this PSA
Wild For Life Foundation at admin[@]wildforlifefoundation.org regarding the film. 

###

GAO Horse Slaughter Report 2011

GAO Issues its Horse Slaughter Report

Jun 23, 2011

Courtesy of  Laura Allen

Animal Law Coalition

The Government Accountability Office has issued its report, GAO 11-228, on action needed to address unintended consequences of the 2007 closing of domestic slaughter facilities. A principal recommendation: "Congress may wish to consider instituting an explicit ban on the domestic slaughter of horses and export of U.S. horses intended for slaughter in foreign countries."

A bill, S.B. 1176, is already pending in the Senate that would do just that.

 (More)

Horse Slaughter to Remain Illegal in House Bill

By Laura Allen
Animal Law Coalition
Saving America's Horses ABM

Update June 16, 2011: By a vote of 215-200, the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 2112, the 2012 agriculture appropriations bill.

Rep. Jim Moran's amendment made in committee remained intact in the final version.

Under Rep. Moran's amendment, inspections required for horses bound for slaughter for human consumption will remain de-funded as they have been since 2006. This means if the House version becomes law, commercial horse slaughter for human consumption will remain illegal.

More: http://www.animallawcoalition.com/horse-slaughter/article/1809

Lummis Amendment Withdrawn

Breaking news! House Representative Lummis just withdrew her amendment!

House Rep may Threaten Defunding- More Calls Needed

House Rep Lummis (WY) expected to threaten defunding with amendment to FUND horse slaughter. DEFUNDING is vital to protecting horses.

Call TODAY and urge your legislator to strongly OPPOSE ANY amendment to restore horse slaughter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewGFPfS1U9I

Tax Payer Funding of Horse Slaughter goes sto Vote this Week!

On May 30^th, the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the FY2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill that prevents your tax dollars from being used to fund inspections of horse slaughter facilities. This bipartisan language has been included in every Agriculture Appropriations bill since 2005. Without this important provision, foreign investors will be able to reestablish horse slaughter in the U.S. at the expense of taxpayers, our own food safety, and the welfare of horses.

The full House of Representatives will vote on the FY12 Agriculture Appropriations bill this Wednesday, June 15. An amendment may be offered to remove the Committee-approved language prohibiting the USDA from spending your tax dollars to inspect horse slaughter facilities. Maintaining the USDA language defunding inspections of horse slaughter facilities as currently included is vital to protecting our horses. It is critical that you call TODAY and urge your legislator to strongly OPPOSE ANY amendment to restore horse slaughter.

Please call your Representative immediately, urging opposition to any attempt to restore horse slaughter. 

You can call the main Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative's office by your state and zip code.

Calling Groups

Calling groups are being formed in support of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011.
Contact aahsus@gmail.com   if you'd like to help.
Thank you.

American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011,

Jun 10, 2011
By Laura Allen
Animal Law Coalition
WFLF Lifetime Equine Refuge BOD

Just as U.S. Representatives Jim Moran (D-VA) and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) are calling for an end to horse slaughter, a bill to make that happen is introduced in the Senate. Here is what Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the sponsors, have released about this bill:

The Problem: Somewhere between 60,000 and 100,000 horses/year are exported from the United States each year with the intent to slaughter for human consumption.
There are no horse slaughterhouses in the United States, and there is not a demand for horse meat in the United States. Two out three Americans believe the practice of horse slaughter is unnecessary and inhumane. Transport to foreign slaughterhouses is lengthy and cruel.

Horses in the United States differ from other livestock in that they have never been raised for the purpose of slaughter. As such, they are frequently treated with drugs that are toxic when ingested by humans and not approved for use in animals raised for human consumption.

Additionally, we have no system in the United States to track which medications a horse has received throughout its lifetime, which makes horse meat a serious food safety/American food export risk.
The Solution: The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011, S.B. 1176, amends the Horse Protection Act (HPA) to prohibit the sale or transport of horses or equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce with the intent of processing for human consumption. 

The bill, filed on June 9, already has a number of co-sponsors.

(more)

Senate Reintroduces Bill to Permanently Ban Horse Slaughter

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Washington, D.C. -- A bill to ban horse slaughter was reintroduced in the United States Senate today. Sponsored by Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the "American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011" will end the slaughter of American horses here and, most urgently, will stop these horses from being exported abroad for slaughter. The sponsors, who have long championed the cause, have the bipartisan support of 14 colleagues who are co-sponsoring the bill.

"As a lifelong horse lover and rider, this practice is appalling to me, and more importantly, the majority of Americans oppose it. We raise and train horses to trust us, perform for us, and allow us on their backs, and as such, they deserve to be treated with human compassion. When horse owners are faced with the sad reality of having to put their animals down, it should be by humane euthanasia," said Senator Landrieu. "I intend to work with Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina and my other colleagues to get this bill passed and permanently end the slaughter of our American horses."

Rep Moran Says "US should get out of the horse meat business"

US should get out of the horse meat business

By Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) - 06/07/11 07:25 PM ET

Since 2006, horse slaughter has been banned in the U.S. In the annual agriculture appropriations bill, language with bipartisan support has been carried that eliminates federal funding for any activity involving the inspection of horse meat for human consumption. This restriction has effectively closed horse slaughter for human consumption facilities in the U.S. But this year the language was not included by the subcommittee for the first time in five years.
Last week, I introduced an amendment during full committee markup to restore the ban on horse slaughter in the U.S. The language was approved, but a floor fight on the issue looms in the near future. I hope to convince more of my colleagues of the need to continue to uphold current law making this inappropriate practice off-limits.

Read full article:
http://thehill.com/special-reports/animal-welfare-june-2011/165257-us-should-get-out-of-the-horse-meat-business

Call to Action

The Full House Vote on Funding for inspections of horse slaughter in the U.S. will take place June 15th. Calls, faxes and emails to your representatives are still needed.

Legislation to be voted on June 15th that could fund horse slaughter in the U.S. with your tax dollars

Please watch this 1 minute PSA then call your representatives!


Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-2131 or the Committee's number at (202) 225-2638.
(202) 225-2771 for Republicans
(202) 225-3481 for Democrats

An amendment was introduced by Senator Moran on May 31st to defund these inspections. Please call the committee members and ask them to support this amendment.

Bottom line: Tell them you do not support funding inspections for horse slaughter.

Toll free numbers:
1-866-220-0044
1-877-851-6437
1-877-762-8762
These numbers are provided for public use by non government groups and as such may change at any time. They ring through to the capital switchboard where you can ask for the legislators by name.

Defunding Roll Call

Where do your representatives stand on defunding horse slaughter?

Ert  – YES

       – NO

Harold D. Rogers, KY

C.W. Bill Young, FL

Jerry Lewis, CA

Frank Wolf, VA

Jack Kingston, GA

Rodney Frelinghuysen, NJ

Tom Latham, IA

Jo Ann Emerson, MO

Kay Granger, TX

Michael K. Simpson, ID

John Abney Culberson, TX

Ander Crenshaw, FL

Denny Rehberg, MT

John R. Carter, TX

Rodney Alexander, LA

Ken Calvert, CA

Jo Bonner, AL

Steve LaTourette, OH

Tom Cole, OK

Jeff Flake, AZ

Mario Diaz-Balart, FL

Charles Dent, PA

Steve Austria, OH

Cynthia Lummis, WY

Tom Graves, GA

Kevin Yoder, KS

Steve Womack, AR

Alan Nunnelee, MS

  

Norm Dicks, WA

Marcy Kaptur, OH

Pete Visclosky, IN

Nita Lowey, NY

Jose Serrano, NY

Rosa DeLauro, CT

Jim Moran, VA

John Olver, MA

Lucille Roybal-Allard, CA

Sam Farr, CA

Jesse Jackson, IL

Steve Rothman, NJ

Sanford Bishop, GA

Barbara Lee, Ca

Adam Schiff, CA

Mike Honda, CA

Betty McCollum, MN