Legislative Issues & Policies - American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act

Introduction

Legislation has been introduced in the last few Congresses to prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption.

Bills Introduced in Both House and Senate

In January 2007, Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Nick Rahall (D-WV), and John Spratt (D-SC) reintroduced federal legislation to prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption (H.R. 503). 

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Agriculture.

Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and 12 other Senators introduced similar legislation in the Senate.  “The Virgie S. Arden American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act,” (S. 311) would prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption.

The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Both bills would amend the Horse Protection Act (HPA), which was enacted in 1970 to prohibit the showing, transport or sale of horses that have been subjected to any painful process to accentuate their gate.  The Animal & Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture enforces the HPA. 

The bills would prohibit the shipping, transporting, or sale of horses for slaughter for human consumption.  Such activities would be a violation of the HPA and subject any person who knowingly violates the Act to penalties of up to $3,000 and/or one year in jail for the first offense and up to $5,000 and/or two years in jail for a second offense.  An offender may also be subject to civil penalties of $2,000 for each violation.

The bills authorize $5 million for enforcement.

Both bills are identical to legislation introduced last Congress.  The House version passed last year, while the Senate version was never considered.

Congressional Action

On April 25, 2007, the Senate Commerce Committee reported out the Senate bill on a vote of 15 to 7.  The next step for the bill is consideration by the full Senate.  When that might occur depends on the Senate schedule and the ability of supporters to bring it to the floor. 

During the Committee’s consideration of the bill, Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and John Ensign (R-NV) spoke in support of it and Senator John Thune (R-SD) opposed it.

USDA FY ’08 Appropriations Bill

On July 19, the House Appropriations Committee approved the funding bill for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Fiscal Year 2008.  Included in the bill was language that was intended to prevent USDA personnel from inspecting, certifying or approving horses intended for slaughter, an apparent attempt by those opposed to the slaughter of horses for human consumption to stop this activity by taking the USDA out of the process as was done two years ago. 

Unfortunately, the language in the bill was so broadly-written that it would have had a far broader impact than it seemed intended to have.  It would have eliminated USDA funding for the import/export functions applicable to all horses and limited USDA’s authority to regulate the importation of horses and assist in the exportation of horses.  It would have affected the ability of USDA to issue necessary health certificates, make inspections and operate quarantine facilities needed to import or export horses.  It would have eliminated not only direct funding by the federal government, but also fee reimbursements by inspected parties for any of these inspection activities.

The provision would have effectively eliminated the importation and exportation of horses for racing, showing, sales and breeding.  Many important events would have been adversely impacted by this provision.

Fortunately, this provision was removed before the House gave final approval to the USDA appropriations bill.  The import, export, international and national movement of horses under USDA supervision and oversight will continue as it is done now.  This was accomplished because organizations and individuals from numerous segments of the industry contacted House members raising the issue and their concerns.

Slaughter Horse De-Funding Provision Included

The House did include language in the bill that would cut-off funding for USDA activities related to the slaughter of horses.  The provision is similar to the one that was included in the USDA appropriations bill passed in the last Congress.  Since the amendment is part of an appropriations bill, the funding ban would last for Fiscal Year 2008, which extends from October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008.  The Senate has not passed its 2008 USDA Appropriations bill as yet.

AHC Position

The AHC is neutral on the legislation because it has organizations and individual members both supporting and opposing a federal legislative ban.