Voice your opinion on Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 6598)

TSCRADaily News Update, August 5, 2008

Voice your opinion on Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 6598)

Congress is aiming to take another stab at the horse slaughter issue with their consideration of H.R. 6598 – the "Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008," legislation introduced on July 24. A hearing was also held July 31 to hear testimony regarding H.R. 6598.

Unlike the other bills that would just ban the sale or processing of horses for human consumption, H.R. 6598 would criminally prosecute horse owners for knowingly owning, selling, transporting or possessing a horse with the intent of slaughtering that horse for human consumption. Also, H.R. 6598 requires the U.S. Attorney General to take care of the horses they confiscate – making you, the taxpayer, responsible for paying the horses' feed bill.

Congress has good intentions with these bills aimed to "protect" horses, but since the three markets in the U.S. have been closed, more horses have become neglected, abandoned and starved. We, as cattle producers, should be able to make decisions about what is best for all animals in our care, including horses.

Take action today and tell your member of Congress to oppose H.R. 6598 by clicking on the following link that will take you to the NCBA's CAPWIZ Web site. It will assist you in voicing your opinion on H.R. 6598 and defending producer rights. go