California Passes Anti-Slaughter Resolution

(from The Horse 8-26-2010)

A bill instructing California's congressional delegation to support federal legislation that would forbid the transport of horses to horse processing plants in Canada and Mexico took its final step to passage on Wednesday, 8-25-2010, when that state's Senate approved the measure.

Introduced in February, SJR 22 calls on federal lawmakers to pass HR 503, the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act and SB727, its twin senate bill. Both bills prohibit the transport, sale, delivery, or export of horses for slaughter for human consumption. It also criminalizes the purchase, sale, delivery, or export of horsemeat intended for human consumption. Both bills remain pending.

The California state Senate approved SJR 22 on August 25. The state's assembly passed the measure earlier this month.

TN Horse Processing Bill Advances

(from The Horse 4-10-2010)

A bill that would allow horse processing plant development in Tennessee advanced yesterday when members of the state's House Finance Subcommittee passed it by a slim 7-6 margin. The measure now moves on for full Finance, Ways and Means and Budget Committee consideration.

HB 1428 directs the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to establish licensing, inspection, operational regulations, and fees for horse processing plants in that state. The bill also insulates prospective plant developers from permit and licensing challenges and awards attorney and court fees to plaintiffs in cases courts deem harassing or without merit.

The Tennessee bill mirrors a measure (HB 418) that became law in Montana last year, said sponsor Rep. Frank Niceley.

A companion bill, SB 1898, remains in a state Senate committee.

Tennessee is one of several states where horse processing legislation is either pending or has passed.

Last week the Missouri House of Representatives passed HB 1747. That bill establishes horse processing plant operation and meat inspection regulations and requires plant operators to pay registration and processing fees to underwrite meat inspection costs.

Meanwhile, Florida lawmakers are considering twin bills SB 1708 and HB 0765 that would make it a felony to slaughter horses and sell their meat for human consumption.

A Wyoming bill HB 122 allowing state livestock to process abandoned horses and sell their meat to prisons and other state institutions was signed into law last month.

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MUSTANG MANAGEMENT

The House passed bill HR-1018, the Restore Our American Mustangs Act. The bill mandates wider use of contraception to control herd size, directs the BLM to expand its adoptions programs, and forbids the euthanasia or sale of horses for slaughter. The bill now moves to the Senate for approval. VP of Government Affairs for the Humane Society of the United States, Nancy Perry, said the vote signifies "a step toward more cost-effective, humane wild horse and burro management."

The BLM currently manages more than 33,000 wild horses and burros on public land. No comment from the BLM was available.

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SLAUGHTER HORSES

Regardless of your stance on this issue, the direction of equine related legislation in our country will potentially - or rather eventually - affect every single horse owner. Learn more about the current status of this hot topic...