Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns: House Judiciary passes horse slaughter bill

TSCRA Daily News Update, Sept. 26, 2008

House Judiciary passes horse slaughter bill

On Sept. 23 the House Judiciary Committee passed, via a party line voice vote, H.R. 6598 – the "Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008." An amendment was attached by Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), which added a requirement that the U.S. Attorney General's office work in consultation with USDA on this matter.

Once the committee finalizes their report for submission to the rules committee, the bill could come to a floor vote. NCBA will continue to work against this bill with hopes to prevent it from being considered on the House floor.

NCBA is working to ensure that Congress and the public are aware that although the bill was introduced under the guise of protecting horse welfare, it will produce unintended and inhumane consequences. Since state laws have banned horse processing, the number of abandoned, neglected, and starving horses has drastically increased.

What's more, this bill would severely limit the rights of owners to manage their private property and subject horse owners to criminal prosecution should they sell their horses for processing.

NCBA continues to oppose this legislation, and has created a template for members to use when contacting members of Congress regarding this issue: http://capwiz.com/beefusa.