|
 |
|
News on
Horse Slaughter
Please look at the
statistics below, particularly the export figures.
The ONLY way to end this
is through passage of the federal bills.
|
Year End Statistics for 2007 |
|
|
Weekly
Slaughter & Export
Statistics |
Horses Slaughtered in U.S.
week ending 12/22/07
|
2007
Statistics Graph
week by
week |
|
Horses exported to
Mexico from U.S.
for slaughter
Statistics from USDA week of 12/29/07
Note the
substantial increase over previous year
**NOTE: There were
ZERO horses exported to Mexico for slaughter
during the last week of 2007 |
Horses exported to
Canada from U.S.
for immediate slaughter
Statistics from Canadian government
through end of 09/07
Note the
substantial increase over previous year |
|
2007 Year End Statistics
45,609 |
2006 Year End
Statistics
11,080 |
2007 Year to Date
(01/07 - end of 09/07)
36,401 |
Previous Year to Date
(01/06 - end of 09/06)
18,373 |
Let's bring ALL of these numbers to ZERO. |
Easy
Contact Tool
|
|
Archives for 2007 News items |
|
Elections drawing closer every day - the
anti slaughter slant
Considering your
choice of candidate for the Presidential election should be a well thought
out and informed decision. While it should not be based soley on a
candidate's views of legislation to prevent the slaughter of horses and
other humane issues, it pays to be clear on the stand of each contender.
Animals
& Politics provides such information. Upon much review of records
accumulated on this topic, the front runners for each party would be:
Democrats - Hillary Rodham Clinton, Republicans - John McCain (both were
also 2006 co-sponsors when the bill was
S.R. 1915). It is
recalled that while both were front runners in co-sponsorship of the
anti-slaughter bills, Barack Obama took longer to commit. Not signing
on at all to the previous bill while in the 109th Congress, he initially
refused
to do so with the present legislation when directly asked for support. This, and Obama's support
of Judge Frederick Kapala, who kept slaughter alive in Illinois, seem just a
couple of reasons to deny him the nod.
From 6/1/07 -
found on Legislation-section,
Illinois:
|
|
Huckabee Likes
Horsemeat -- "tastes like chicken"
From the
Wall Street Journal 12/21/07: Mike Huckabee, campaigning in Iowa,
speaks to reporters from his bus.
| “It’s one of my favorite
places,” he said, perhaps pandering to the Dutch Iowan vote. He
named a couple of his favorite Dutch foods, including one made
from horsemeat. Asked if it tasted like chicken, he confirmed:
“Tastes like chicken.” |
|
|
Freedom of
Information Act - As a citizen of the U.S. it is
your right to obtain information, per written request, from federal
agencies.
Principal FOIA Contacts at Federal Agencies. One such agency is
the Department of Agriculture:
|
Department of Agriculture
Rita Morgan
Acting FOIA/PA Coordinator
Room 440AA, Whitten Building
Washington, D.C. 20250-1300
telephone number: (202) 720-8164 |
If you were, for
example, wondering why the U.S. government does not seem to have
statistics of horses exported to Canada for slaughter available, a more
detailed and specific list of contacts within the USDA are listed here:
Agency FOIA Contacts
I wonder if, perhaps, the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service would be the one to contact if you were
seeking this information or
reason why it was not available? If so, this agency officer may be
contacted by
mail, facsimile, e-mail, or web request form.:
|
|
12/12/07
Cavel back in the news
In a little piece tucked here and
there on the internet, Cavel attorney J. Philip Calabrese has indicated that
Cavel will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Illinois law closing the
slaughterhouse. Cavel has until 1/18/08 to file the petition. |
|
Confused
about double decker trailers transporting horses, even though you thought it
was illegal?
JAVMA News, in their December 15, 2007 article (yes, they date them
ahead if you read before that date and are wondering) offers an overview on
the current legislative efforts attempting to close the loopholes in the
intended law prohibiting the practice. Follow the instructions at
the bottom of the article to submit comments to USDA before January 7, 2008
regarding the rule. |
|
If the rising numbers of horses
exported across borders from the U.S. for slaughter does not seem
significant, the realities of the flagrant transport and humane violations
should. Read Animals' Angels USA
Investigation into the export of American horses to Mexico - External Report
(.pdf file), hosted by
Texas Horse Talk.
Further studies conducted by Animals Angels can be found on their
Horse Slaughter page. |
|
11/14/07
S. 311 has been placed on the Senate
Legislative Calendar, #488, under General Orders. What this
means is that at some point in the near or far future, the bill may make it
to the floor of the Senate, if that happens before the end of the 110th
Congress. |
|
11/11/07
A letter from Willie Nelson. Join together on Capitol Hill,
November 13 & 14 to demand a vote on H.R. 503 and S.311, The American Horse
Slaughter Prevention Act. |
|
11/7/07
Where are the federal bills for The
American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act?
-
H.R. 503 -
With 188 current cosponsors, H.R. 503 was referred on
3/2/07 to the House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, where
it remains hidden today.
-
S. 311 -
On 4/25/07 the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
ordered the bill to be reported favorable, without amendment. No
further action has been forthcoming.
-
H.R. 249 -
The bill to restore the prohibition on commercial sale
and slaughter of our wild horses and burros was passed in the House of
Representatives on 4/26/07. It was received in the Senate and
referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, where it
remains hidden today.
As it currently
appears, another year will pass without action on the bills. While
politicians continue to play the chess game with our federal legislation,
horses are being transported over borders in ever increasing numbers.
The committees that hold both H.R. 503 and H.R. 249 are largely
pro-slaughter. Out of sight, out of mind, in this current
administration. Have you contacted your representatives (again?), have
you demanded answers to why this inaction is allowed? |
|
10/3/07
Do you need a
quick review of the movement to end horse slaughter?
Racing and the Law, by Chris E. Wittstruck, Esq. provides an unbiased
and accurate overview of major events and the current status of U.S.
legislation. Article from
Harnesslink.com.
|
|
9/29/07
Why
must the federal bills be passed to end the slaughter and transport of
horses for slaughter? Lisa Sandberg writes about
Horse slaughters taking place on the border from MySA.com. Graphic
in the depiction of cruelty and the realities of slaughter in a Mexican kill
box, the fate will not be ended until the bills are passed. |
|
9/21/07
As most of you are well aware, the
slaughter of horses is not a singularly American problem. From the UK,
a rather graphic article about the slaughter of a beautiful gray pony.
If you are one of a number of people who still do not believe that slaughter
is cruel, due to the inconvenience it might cause you, take a good look.
Ponies Killed For Meat in the UK, from The Sun and a second version
The ponies abandoned by British children and sent to France
as horse meat from the Evening Standard.
On another note, of great
importance, please refer to the Slaughter
Statistics page. One more time, we absolutely MUST pass the
federal bills. It appears that the pro slaughter factions continue to
be in control, as no definitive action is being taken while these bills are
again allowed to go stale. Cavel continues to slaughter horses in
Illinois, despite the passage of a state law prohibiting the practice.
Foreign concerns are obviously upper most in consideration for the appeal
system, while our domestic laws are laughed at. Horses are being
exported to Mexico (not counting the numbers going to Canada) at the rate of
almost 5 times that of last year at the same time. Progress? I
think not. Perhaps it is well past time to demand some answers rather
than crediting ourselves with who has done the most for whatever faction of
the cause.
Good news today! U. S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh
District, Illinois has upheld the constitutionality of the state law banning
horse slaughter. Cavel still has appeals available so stay on top of
this for further developments. This does NOT mean that the Federal
bills are of less important. They are prime in the cessation of
slaughter in this country.
|
|
9/12/07
Remember the name:
Senator Frank Kloucek, South Dakota
Lawmakers lend support to horse slaughter, seven state legislators send
resolution to U.S. Agriculture Secretary, members of House and Senate Ag
Committees, and AVMA encouraging Congress to support the creation of new
horse slaughter facilities and to maintain existing facilities. |
|
9/4/07
In Canada:
Velda, the company which owns Cavel, is the company which has contracted
with Natural Valley Farms, in Saskatchewan, to convert its facilities
for the slaughter of horses. This article reiterates the importance of
passing the federal laws in the U.S. to prevent horses from this country
crossing the border for slaughter. Now that your representatives are
back for the remainder of a year which will soon conclude in Congress, it is
very necessary to push the federal bills forward.
|
|
8/17/07
Some of you will recall that almost
1 year ago, on September 7, 2006, H.R. 503 was passed by the House of
Representatives in the 109th Congress. It never saw the light of day
in the Senate and we began yet again. It is fast approaching that
date. Your representatives will be returning to Washington shortly to
wrap up the first session of the 110th Congress. Unless there is
action very soon, there will be the same lack of result this year. Can
the slaughter of horses continue because of another year of inaction?
Evidence the statistics above. Although progress has been made on the
state level, as well as other side trips in bills that will assist the end,
horse slaughter in the U.S. is still legal. The federal bills must be
passed.
|
|
8/8/07
Bush vows to veto bill banning horse slaughter.
This seems
kind of odd to me, since he purports to be so concerned with the budget.
Apparently, it conflicts with his meat industry ties.
8/2/07
Word has been
received that the Ag Appropriations bill has passed with the
Spratt-Whitfield-Rahall-Chandler amendment included, which would end funding
for inspections on horses being transported for slaughter, but would not
interfere with the transport of horses for other purposes. The
Agriculture Appropriations Act extends for a one year period for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2008.
Calendar 331,
110th Congress, 1st Session, H.R. 3161
In the
Senate of the United States, Auguest 3, 2007. Received, read twice and
placed on the calendar
This section of
the bill, as passed by the House and placed on the calendar of the Senate
now reads:
|
SEC. 738. None of the
funds made available in this Act may be used to pay the salaries
or expenses of personnel to—
(1) inspect horses under section 3 of the Federal Meat
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 603);
(2) inspect horses under section 903 of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 1901 note; Public
Law 104-127); or
(3) implement or enforce section 352.19 of title 9, Code of
Federal Regulations. |
8/1/07 update
on Ag Appropriations Bill
The Spratt-Whitfield-Rahall-Chandler Amendment
to the Ag Appropriations Bill has been introduced which would temporarily
stop slaughter. It has not yet been voted on, and the text of this
amendment, to date, does not seem to be available. This
amendment would strip Section 738 and substitute language which
focuses on eliminating funding on horses which are being sent to slaughter,
and would not interfere with the transport of horses for other purposes.
Another amendment is currently underway by
Boswell, Costa, King, Salazar, and Radanovich which would completely
eliminate Section 738, thus would also allow the inspections of horses bound
for slaughter to continue as it is presently.
President Bush has stated that he would veto
the Ag Appropriations bill in its entirety due to the "irresponsible and
excessive level of spending." The White House also wishes to
delete Section 738 completely.
7/30/07
H.R. 3161,
Section 738 (Ag Appropriations Bill)
There has been
much discussion regarding the text contained in this bill. Some will
tell you that, as the HSUS dictates, you must contact your legislators to
tell them to vote yes and to keep this language in tact. Others will
tell you that this language, although well intended will end the
import/export of horses for all uses, including sport, equestrian
competitions (Olympics), showing, racing, breeding stock, etc. Major
organizations which are on both sides of the slaughter issue, both pro and
con, are uniformly opposed to the present text of this language.
YOU MUST READ
AND UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING TEXT AND NOT ALLOW SOMEONE ELSE TO DICTATE YOUR
OPINION.
Promises of what will not
happen to sport horses, etc., with the present language are empty.
Here it is. Judge for
yourself. Search the .pdf file for "horse" or go to page 75, 76,
and 77 to verify. The text reads:
|
SEC. 738. None of the
funds made available in this Act may be used to—
(1) examine, inspect, certify, or mark horses, horse carcasses,
or parts of horse carcasses, or create, distribute, certify,
endorse, or file any certificate concerning horses under the
Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), or
subtitle A of title IX of the Federal Agriculture Improvement
and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 1901 note; Public Law 104–127);
(2) accept reimbursement or enter into reimbursable fee
agreements under section 10703 of the Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 2219a) or section 10412 of the
Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8311) to examine,
inspect, certify, or mark horses, horse carcasses, or parts of
horse carcasses, or create, distribute, certify, endorse or file
any certificate concerning horses;
(3) assess or collect fees under section 203 of the Agricultural
Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C.1622), section 2508 or 2509 of
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (21
U.S.C. 136, 136a), or part 130 of title 9, code of Federal
Regulations, to examine, inspect, certify, or mark horses, horse
carcasses, or parts of horse car-casses, or create, distribute,
certify, endorse, or file any certificate concerning horses;
(4) contract with any person or entity under section 205 of the
Agricultural Marketing Act (7 U.S.C. 1624) to examine, inspect,
certify, or mark horses, horse carcasses, or parts of horse
carcasses, or create, distribute, certify, endorse, or file any
certificate concerning horses; or
(5) implement, administer, or enforce section 352.19 of title 9,
Code of Federal Regulations, or promulgate an equivalent
regulation. |
In summary, while Rome burns, Nero continues
to fiddle.
While we turn
attention to other legislations, time ticks away on the Federal bills
which are the only way to end horse slaughter in the U.S.
|
|
7/22/07
Here is an interesting point to ponder:
According to
Zimmerman: Precautions to help your horses (see end of article) the
Texas Animal Health Commission requires horses, including those being sold
for slaughter, have a current EIA test. It would be most
interesting to discover if anyone is checking on this requirement and
enforcing it.
---ALSO---
Interesting and on target comparison of Cavel's
practices ala Freddy Krueger in
It's Back! The Horror of Horse Slaughter in DeKalb, by Professor
Mylan Engel, Jr., Ph. D.
|
|
7/18/07 -
Another Spin Around Illinois Legal System Merry-Go-Round for Cavel and
friends
A decision by U.S.
Court of Appeals for the Seventh District (Judges Frank H. Easterbrook,
Richard Posner, Ilana Diamond Rovner), Illinois today
granted Cavel an injunction against prosecution while their appeal is
pending. Citing "irreparable harm that will come to the plaintiffs if
the motion is not granted, and a degree of novelty raised by the appeal"
Illinois now returns to state government controlled by foreign countries AKA
business as usual in the slaughterhouse. There are some days when one
must stop and reflect on who we have allowed to govern this country.
|
|
7/5/07
Judge Frederick Kapala, U.S. District Court,
rules against Cavel. They remain
shuttered.
U.S. District Court Document:
Cavel International, Inc. et al vs. Lisa Madigan, et al
|
|
Hot
Potato, Hot Potato, Whose Got the Hot Potato? aka 7/4/07
In brief: Cavel
petitioned the Circuit Court for another stay on July 2nd. The Circuit
Court denied the motion for appeal, stating that the District Court erred in
concluding that it lacked jurisdiction to rule on the merits of the motion
for preliminary injunction. The district court was ordered to proceed to a
ruling on the merits of the preliminary injunction motion and to final
judgment. No slaughtering at Cavel for the time being. The
Circuit Court has ordered all parties to file a status report explaining
their position with respect to the district court’s ruling within 14 days of
the date of this order (7/3/07).
|
|
Happy
Independence
Day! |
****** The only
stickler here, and I hope that everybody keeps this in the front of
their minds, is that if the Farm Bill goes through with Section 123 in
tact, everything will be a moot point as it will be "back to business as
usual" for the slaughterhouses, no matter what state they are in.
Federal law trumps state law, and Oz will have spoken. Remember
Conrad Burns and the mustangs? Same maneuver, different
day.*********
|
|
6/28/07
Cavel can pack up their execution equipment again.
Today marked the end of the second and most recent temporary stay granted by
U.S. District Court Judge Frederick Kapala. In a new ruling, issued on
this date in response to Cavel International, Inc. vs. Lisa Madigan, et al.,
Kapala has directed that Cavel no longer has a "better than negligible
chance of succeeding" in overturning the state law. The stay granting
protection from prosecution for violating the laws of the state of Illinois
has ended and the slaughter stops. Appeals are still underway. |
|
6/14/07
U.S. District Court Judge Frederick Kapala again grants Cavel a reprieve.
On what was to be the last day of their original "temporary restraining
order" Kapala extends the operation for another 10 days while Cavel
continues to challenge the law that was passed through proper channels in
the state of Illinois. It makes you wonder just what goes on,
doesn't it? Apparently we've missed something in that Belgium is
now calling the shots in the state of Illinois.
THE COMMERCE CLAUSE and how it may effect the laws of Illinois
|
|
6/1/07
Cavel has been granted a temporary restraining order which is effective
through June 14 during which they may resume slaughter for human
consumption. The ruling, as a result of the lawsuit filed by Cavel
on May 25 "claiming a new law banning the slaughter of horses intended for
human consumption is unconstitutional," (Cavel
claims that the
state of Illinois has no constitutional authority to ban the slaughter of a
particular species because some people object on moral grounds,
and would also restrain interstate and international commerce
, infringing on federal authority over slaughterhouses)
was granted by
U.S.
District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Judge Frederick Kapala.
The restraining order prevents both Illinois state and DeKalb county
officials from enforcing the new law banning slaughter for human consumption
and transport for within the state. Hearings are scheduled for June 12
and 14. It is interesting to note that U.S. District Judge Kapala, of
Illinois, was nominated to the U.S. District Court and
voted in unanomously on May 8, 2007. Kapala was
nominated to the position by Senators
Barack Obama and
Richard Durbin.
Documents will be now be filed with the U.S. District Court of for the
Northern District of Illinois on behalf of AWI and SAPL opposing Cavel's
foreign owners' use of the court system to subvert laws in the state of
Illinois.
5/24/07
Good news
in Illinois!
Governor Blagojevich has signed HB 1711, prohibiting the slaughter
of horses for human consumption in the state of Illinois into law.
Effective
immediately.
|
|
Victory in Illinois!
5/16/07
By a vote of 39 - 16 the Illinois Senate today approved a ban on the
slaughter of horses for human consumption in the state of Illinois.
The bill will now go to Governor Rod Blagojevich to be signed into law.
Congratulations and a heart felt thank you to all of you, especially in
Illinois, who have worked so hard to make this a reality.
|
|
Do Horses Grieve? by Kenneth L. Marcella, from Thoroughbred Times
|
|
In Illinois:
|
5/11/07 Mare foals on kill floor at Cavel
in Illinois.
Mare and foal were
released to a
rescue facility in the area. Read
interview in
Texas Horse Talk. |
DeKalb Sanitary District Board Meeting 5:00 p.m. CST on Tuesday,
May 15. Open to the public. Cavel will be addressed. Keep
in mind that their 5/30/07 compliance deadline is fast approaching, their
fines are escalating, and they are currently back in business. Your
support is needed.
Directions
More on the
DeKalb Sanitary District vs. Cavel on
Road to Slaughter, scroll down
page to Illinois section. |
|
5/8/07 Letter
from the ranting editor:
Okay, admittedly,
this entire cavalier attitude of the pro-slaughter contingency
has provoked a very bad mood here. That, somehow, our
government has again seen fit to subvert the vote of our
legislators and allow slaughter to resume at Cavel on 5/7/07 is
unfathomable. How appropriate that the finale to Derby
weekend would meet with the resumed execution of America's
horses.
To all of you
"bill of rights" individuals (and I use that term loosely) who
think that, by virtue of homo sapiens' dominance of this fragile
planet, you may do as you please with those that you deem lesser
in significance than yourselves, have at it. I have a
couple of pertinent questions to address to you:
-
Why do you
refuse to call a spade a spade? Why does your
vernacular not include the word "slaughter" but instead
refers to the dirty deed as "processing" or
"harvesting", etc.?
-
Where, in
your veterinarian's compendium of medical equipment, is the
captive bolt?
-
Why is it,
that on not one of your pro-slaughter sites, do you show
this "process" which you deem as "humane euthanasia?"
-
Why don't you
be honest with yourselves and admit that the bottom line is
the dollar and your ability to profit from your
irresponsibility?
The struggle has
gone on for years. If necessary, it will go on for many
more. Not until every horse in this country is assured
respite from your irresponsible hands will the fight be
finished.
|
"From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered,
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers."
~William Shakespeare, from Henry V |
I, for one,
am not ready to make nice.
|
|
|
5/8/07
In Illinois! H.B. 1711 passes
in the Illinois Senate Committee on Public Health with a 7 - 0 Vote!
This bill has
already been given the green light in the Illinois House and will now move
on to the full Senate for the vote.
Congratulations one and all! You did good! Let's remind the
Illinois Senate that the people do not wish horses to be executed at Cavel.
|
|
For your
Derby Day, and every day,
the story of Gato Del Sol and the Hancocks.
The 1982
Derby winner with a happy ending. |
|
Is the
American Veterinary Medical Association your friend, or the friend of your
animal companions?
AVMA News, dated May 15, 2007
Plans in
the works include lobbying for:
-
Preventing plaintiff animal owners from recovering
non economic damages for animal loss or injury.
-
Preserving the legal status of animals as
property.
-
Amending the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act to
include all animals species slaughtered.
-
Working with fellow pro slaughter AAEP to develop
legislation directed at welfare needs of "unwanted" horses, as an
alternative to the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.
-
Secure permanent federal funding for the Food Animal
Residue Avoidance Databank (re: recommendations for withdrawal time
for drugs in food-producing animals.
Further, they have specifically sited as targets to
defeat, two legislative goals for the 110th Congress:
-
H.R. 962/S. 549, The Preservation of Antibiotics for
Medical Treatment Act of 2007. This would phase out the use of
certain antibiotics in food-producing animals.
-
H.R.
503/S. 311, The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.
Are they the friend of animals? Consider the
ramifications of these intentions.
Judging from these intentions, I would think not.
|
The following was received from a concerned individual:
"I
am challenging all of you to ask all your equine Drs why
they do not carry a captive bolt gut on the truck –. If they
don’t offer it ask them WHY? Let’s start turning the tables,
ask your vet WHY he doesn’t offer to spay a mare. Why does
he prefer to take course on breeding them? I have a broken
OTT Thoroughbred here., Do you know how many Drs I called to
find 1- just 1 with a tendon wand? 8! Only 1 -50 miles away
had one all the rest had repro wands guess what? they are
probably not paid for yet. I really do like my Drs but for
years they have been fed a different agenda. IT is time to
teach them a new one. The AVMA / AAEP do not pay them, they
do not bank roll anything but they do ask the vets for dues
to spread the propaganda that is against what most horse
owners want. If your vet is encouraging auctions and
slaughter and is not willing to go public with his concerns
like the vets for horse welfare did then maybe you need to
get a new one. Let’s turn this around in a way they didn’t
see coming. Notice how drug companies put adds out for new
pharmaceuticals? It is because they were having trouble
reaching the public,- the Dr was the Gate way- now the
public tells the Dr what they want and it can work for
horses too. If Drs have to choose between clients and the
trade organization ???????? We need to be nice about it and
encourage them to be honest about their feelings too. I
don’t think ever Dr is really believes what is being said by
AVMA / OR AAEP but they won’t say anything either…." |
|
|
5/2/07 UPDATE in Illinois on HB 1711
It has been
reported that HB 1711 has been assigned to the
Illinois Senate Committee on Public Health.
A public hearing is scheduled for the bill on May 8, 2007.
Please take the
time to contact the members of the
Illinois Senate Committee on Public Health and your state
Senator now and tell them to vote in YES on HB 1711.
***It is important
to note that Cavel has been
granted a stay by a ruling of
the U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia. This means that slaughter can resume at
any moment in Illinois and the only way to end this on the state level is by
the successful passage of HB 1711.***
Slaughter RESUMED at Cavel on Monday, May 7,
2007.
|
|
A must see (not for weak stomachs):
Tom Meyer's
Ohio's Slaughter Town from 19ActionsNews.com
Exposes the underbelly of the slaughter
industry. |
|
VICTORY ON H.R. 249!
12:38 p.m. 4/26/07
H.R. 249 on the
House floor - April 26, 2007
|
This is
Take Your Son or Daughter to Work Day at the
House and there are a number of children
present.
Personally, I wouldn't want my children
subjected to speeches by people that think
slaughtering horses is an acceptable practice. |
This is the only legislative bill scheduled
in the House today. The House begins addressing the
bill at 10:15 a.m. Rep. Sutton, OH and Rahall, WV open
with the heart of the bill.
If you live in the state of Utah, run for
your life. Representative Rob Bishop, UT, is either
grossly misinformed or has a penchant for lies when he
states that no wild horses have been sold for slaughter.
The spin that is being presented is inaccurate and
incomplete. By his own admission, he is not familiar
with horses and that fact is clearly demonstrated.
Points from both sides are currently being presented with
Representative Rahall at the helm of the the anti slaughter
legislation.
11:00 a.m. Rep Tom Price, GA, submits
Amendment #2 which would be "Pay As You Go -- new
spending must have specific offset before the legislation
can take effect." Rep Rahall rises in opposition to
the attempted amendment which would thwart the bill.
Bishop again launches into his rhetoric regarding BLM's
contract stating that no horse can legally be sold for
slaughter at this time. Rep. Moran, VA, counters with
anti slaughter point of view stressing humanity and respect.
Rep. Whitfield, KY, speaks on behalf of our horses and
exposes the economics of the 10 cent per acre lease that the
ranchers are allowed in the west, as well as the subversive
tactics which originally stripped the wild horses and burros
of this protection. Kuchinich, OH speaks in favor of
the horses, exposing the underhanded dealings of the BLM to
allow their slaughter. Bishop, UT, comes back with
numbers of "horses standing in pens" and again repeats his
erroneous rhetoric of the illegality of selling the BLM
horses for slaughter. Amendment #2 stuck down by voice
vote. Price of GA requests recorded vote and is
granted recorded vote (15 minutes allotted).
|
Results of attempt to add
Amendment #2 to H.R. 249.
The amendment will not be
allowed.
Yea - 187
Nay - 238 |
11:55 a.m. Price, GA attempts again
to insert "Motion to recommit with instructions," which
states effective date of H.R. 249 not to be until
60 days after the secretary certifies to Congress that
the long term care of the horses does not exceed
$500,000 annually. This is the same type of last
minute poison pill amendments that were attempted to
kill H.R. 503 during the House floor session last year.
Voice vote defeats the proposal, and again Price, GA
calls for recorded vote.
|
Results of attempt to add Motion
to Recommit with Instructions to H.R. 249.
Will not be allowed.
Yea - 182
Nay - 234 |
12:28 p.m.
Voice vote on passage of H.R. 249. Ayes have it.
Recorded vote requested by Rep from MS. Five
minute vote is underway.
Now on to the
Senate! Please remember to thank your
Representatives and start asking your Senators for
support.
It is even
more important that we get H.R. 503 out of the
Agriculture Committee and moved on to the House.
The Agriculture Committee is our single largest block in
this legislation.
|
|
4/25/06 Results of the Senate Committee
Markup on S. 311
3:28 p.m.: The committee
begins to address S.311.
Senator Thune, SD, objects
and begins lengthy diatribe with cut and paste pro slaughter
rhetoric.
In support, Barbara Boxer
speaks in favor of the bill, presenting facts from
California.
Yeas and Nays called for, but
more rhetoric from Thune (?) who wished to go on the record
with this opposition.
Voice vote called.
RESULTS: Yeas - 15, Nays - 7
Concludes at 3:38 and brings
us one step closer to a full vote on the bill.
|
RESULTS
Individual Vote Results by Committee Member
Audio difficult to
hear/understand during voice vote. If vote
is uncertain
?
is indicated, until
transcript is posted and votes confirmed. |
|
AYES |
NAYS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3/29/07
It just gets better and better. A
practice that we knew was taking place, but couldn't seem to
find the evidence, is revealed:
USDA admits skipped meat plant checks for 30 years
|
|
3/28/07
Federal District Court block Horsemeat Inspections
In 2005, when Congress halted the federal
funding of USDA inspections at the slaughterhouses, the
intent was that it would end slaughter. A loophole was
found that seemingly allowed the inspections to continue on
a fee basis. This ruling has now blocked the U.S.
Agriculture Department program that allowed the
slaughterhouses to pay for inspections to continue on a fee
basis. "Judge Kollar-Kotelly ruled that the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) violated the National
Environmental Policy Act by failing to conduct an
environmental impact review of its decision to allow the
continuation of horse slaughter." The ruling is
effective immediately.
The fight is not over. The slaughter
industry will appeal, and do whatever is necessary to keep
the plants in operation. For the Texas and Illinois
plants, this could mean a lateral move to another state that
has not deemed horse slaughter for human consumption to be
illegal. They may continue to slaughter horses for
carnivore diets even within those states. Further, the
exports of horses to Mexico for slaughter are almost 4 times
what they were last year at the same time.
Until we get the federal laws passed, there
is no defined end to slaughter. It is increasingly
more important that you contact your legislators and insist
that federal bills H.R. 503, S. 311, and H.R. 249 become law
this year.
|
Federal Meat Inspection Act
§695.
Payment of cost of meat-inspection service;
exception.
The cost
of inspection rendered on and after July 1,
1948, under the requirements of laws relating to
Federal inspection of meat and meat food
products shall be borne by the United States
except the cost of overtime pursuant to section
394 of title 7.
|
More information on the new ruling.
|
|
3/23/07
Dallas Crown Employees Sent Home
Slaughter has been halted "temporarily, while
some changes are being made."
|
|
Disturbed by the lies in the Kentucky Overrun by
Horses article?
Documented Proof of the fabricated articles
and statements
After spending a day contacting newspapers,
the author and his employer, the state, an all breed equine
online publication who chose to feature it and their well
known Thoroughbred publisher who apparently has opted not to
respond, it is so convoluted and transparent that I refuse
to direct anyone to the article. In the unlikely
instance that you haven't seen it, it is easily found as it
was distributed en masse via AP newswire. A fact
based, repudiating response can be found on the
Veterinarians for Equine Welfare site.
Response from Representative Ed Whitfield
|
KENTUCKY
No
abandoned horses found
The March
14 article titled
"Kentucky, land of the
thoroughbred, swamped
with unwanted horses"
could not have been
further from the truth.
There is
no crisis and there is
no glut of "unwanted
horses" roaming the
Bluegrass State or
anywhere else.
Though I
knew the article was
completely inaccurate, I
did investigate.
When
contacted for
confirmation about this
particular story, Lt.
Phil Crumpton, Kentucky
State Police media
relations branch
commander, said, "You
must be joking?"
Upon
realizing that it was a
serious question, he
confirmed that there had
been no reports of
unwanted horses to
headquarters or any of
the regional posts.
At the
annual meeting of the
Kentucky Animal Care and
Control Association, the
organization's
president, Dan Evans,
surveyed the membership
about the situation.
None
reported an increase in
abandoned horses or
sightings.
Beyond
the inaccurate
reporting, it is tragic
that the pro-horse
slaughter movement has
managed to manipulate
the mainstream media.
The three
remaining Belgian-owned
slaughterhouses in Texas
and Illinois killed over
100,000 healthy, wanted
horses last year to
supply overseas' diners
with an expensive
delicacy.
While
responsible horse owners
may have legitimate
reasons for giving up
their horses, all agree
slaughter should not be
an option.
I
encourage everyone to
get the facts on horse
slaughter and help
support passage of the
American Horse Slaughter
Prevention Act currently
before Congress.
ED
WHITFIELD, U.S.
representative, First
District, Kentucky,
Washington, D.C. |
|
|
|
|
|
Stupid Quote of the Week
(I'm sorry to say this could
become a regular feature)
"Fact: Horse slaughter plants
have saved thousands of horses from a fate worse
than death, starvation and/or neglect."
From Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
March 11, 2007
Horse Slaughter Plants Needed,
by Eileen Tidwell
Could the author be the same Eileen Tidwell who
so loves her horses that she lost a mare
following a foaling at age 25? |
|
|
2/22/07
Important news
coming out of Illinois.
HB1711, a bill to amend the Illinois Horse Meat Act, was introduced
today in the Illinois House by state Representative Robert S. Molaro.
|
Synopsis of text of the
bill:
"Amends the Illinois
Horse Meat Act. Provides that it is unlawful for any person
to slaughter a horse if that person knows or should know
that any of the horse meat will be used for human
consumption and that any person who knowingly does so shall
be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. Provides that is
unlawful for any person to possess, to import into or export
from the State, or to sell, buy, give away, hold, or accept
any horse meat if that person knows or should know that any
of the horse meat will be used for human consumption and
that any person who knowingly does so shall be guilty of a
Class C misdemeanor. Repeals a Section that excludes
registered horse meat that is labeled as such in
hermetically sealed containers and horse meat prepared in
federally inspected plants from the provisions of the Act.
Amends the Animals Intended for Food Act, the Illinois
Equine Infectious Anemia Control Act, the Humane Care for
Animals Act, and the Humane Slaughter of Livestock Act to
make related changes. Effective immediately." |
|
|
2/21/07 Do they really know what they are eating?
Authorities
in Peru seize 3 tons of horsemeat that was
being sold to unsuspecting consumers as beef.
|
|
2/16/07
From The Tennessean.com:
"Better
a bullet than to sell a horse to those who slaughter for profit"
|
Comments, such as the
following, may be left regarding the article.
Thank you for drawing
attention to the quest to end horse slaughter in the U.S.
There are very good reasons to bring this to immediate
action in the 110th Congress.
Many Americans are still unaware of the practice and, when
they are made aware of the specifics of the process, do not
feel that it is humane euthanasia.
The slaughter of horses in the U.S. does not profit the
American people, with the exception of the few attorneys,
lobbyists, and congressmen receiving campaign contributions
from the slaughter industry.
The three plants in the U.S. which slaughter horses are
foreign owned and exporting horsemeat to foreign markets. It
is true that they have circumvented both the tax structure
and the judicial system.
Horses, not being raised as food animals, are treated with
worming and other medications throughout their lives which
are specifically labeled as prohibited in horses to be used
for human consumption. The testing of horsemeat for these,
as well as drugs administered to horses coming from race
tracks, is lax. Who will be ultimately held accountable for
this? Europe has already experienced clenbuterol poisoning
and trichinella outbreaks traced to horsemeat.
As a nation, we are above these practices. It is time that
we returned the U.S. to its citizens and stop allowing
foreign interests to control our country.
Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:00 pm |
|
|
2/14/07
Did you ever wonder
how our battle to end horse slaughter appears
through the eyes of another country? From New Zealand
Horsetalk Equine News and Views, "Horse
Slaughter Plant Continues Killing." In addition to the
article, at the bottom of the page will be found links to other articles
which they have included on the topic.
|
|
