NEWS
Government study says equine slaughter has shifted to Mexico, Canada
Posted: Friday, June 24, 2011 3:53 PM
by Frank Angst
A government study has determined that U.S. horses are being slaughtered in Canada and Mexico at nearly the same rates as they were in the U.S. before U.S. slaughterhouses were halted in 2007.
The report finds current U.S. policy to be flawed and its recommendations gave a foothold to both supporters of allowing equine slaughter in the U.S. and those who favor stricter laws aimed at ending equine export for slaughter.
In the report released Wednesday, the bi-partisan Government Accountability Office determined that in 2010 137,984 horses were shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter, up slightly from 2006 figures—the last full year that equine slaughter took place in the U.S. The report said 137,688 domestic horses were slaughtered in 2006, 104,899 in the U.S. and 32,789 after export.
Because horses currently are first exported before slaughter, the report said they endure longer shipping distances. Because the slaughter is taking place in other countries they lose protection of U.S. humane slaughter protections. The report said in 2006 about 32,789 domestic horses were shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter but those numbers spiked to 137,984 in 2010, with a 148% increase in Canada and a 660% increase in Mexico.
The report also suggested an increase in horse neglect cases since 2007. While noting national figures on the topic are unavailable, the report said information provided by state and local governments, as well by animal welfare organizations, suggest the increase. The report cited information from California, Colorado, Florida, and Texas.
In 2007, Congress halted federal funding to inspect horses slaughterhouses, effectively prohibiting domestic slaughter. The GAO report suggests the policy has not solved the problem and outlined options that could pave the way for a monumental fight on the issue. It recommends that equine slaughter either be allowed in the U.S. under policies similar to its ending in 2007 or a strengthening of current policies.
In its recommendations, the report suggests Congress could reconsider its restrictions on equine slaughter, allow and fund U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors at domestic slaughter plants, and require more regulation in the process. The other recommendation would be to strengthen current policy by specifically banning the export of horses for slaughter in foreign countries. That policy would require language that would readily identify such horses and more funding for enforcement.
The United States Humane Society supports strengthening the laws and banning exports, noting that there already is proposed legislation aiming to do just that.
“Industries that want to profit from horse slaughter, and the export of American horse meat to Europe and Asia, will claim that we need to reopen horse slaughter plants in the U.S. so that horses are not traveling long distances to Canada and Mexico, and that Congress should fund USDA oversight of horse slaughter, potentially adding millions of dollars to the federal budget and distracting agency inspectors from other food safety responsibilities,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “But when a handful of slaughter plants did operate in the U.S., horses still traveled long distances across the country in dangerous double-decker trucks, and the transport and slaughter processes involved were inherently inhumane.
“There’s no reason to believe that slaughter plants would spring up in every community to make the transport distances shorter, or that horses would evolve into a species that no longer has a flight response, which makes the stunning and slaughter process very difficult and clumsy.”
Policies that ended U.S. equine slaughter came just before the start of difficult economic times in the U.S., a fact Markarian believes helps explain why slaughter numbers have remained consistent and horse neglect cases have increased. He said just because irresponsible owners are choosing to export horses for slaughter does not justify reopening U.S. slaughter plants.
“It’s like saying the U.S. should repeal its child labor laws because bad actors are using Mexican children to work in factories or transporting American children across the border to Mexico to work in response to U.S. law,” Markarian said.
Representatives from the American Horse Council’s Unwanted Horse Coalition could not be reached on Friday. The American Association of Equine Practitioners, which opposed the changes to U.S. slaughter policy for some of the reasons outlined in the GAO report, is preparing a response for Monday.
U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Nebraska) said current policy has not worked and allowing equine slaughter would provide U.S. jobs.
“The GAO report makes it clear ending horse processing has had a detrimental effect on both the economy and animal welfare,” Smith said. “In light of this information, Congress should re-evaluate this misguided policy; to allow responsible horse management which would create jobs, generate revenue, and strengthen a struggling horse industry.”
But Rep. James Moran (D-Virginia) and Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana) told the Washington Times that they favor adding a crackdown on equine exports for slaughter to go along with the current policy. Both said the public favors such a policy.
To read the full GAO study, click here.
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Posted by: JULIAN, DEKALB, IL on July 19, 2011 at 02:04 PM
It is the Will of the American People that our U.S. horses not be shipped anywhere for the purpose of slaughter for human consumption. This is the Peoples' Will. I am glad that they closed down all the U.S. horse slaughter plants. I did not like my U.S. taxes going towards the USDA to stamp a pet as 'exotic gourmet' so that the Euro rich can glut on an American Pet and call it suave. We do not allow any other foreign country to market our surplus dogs and cats to be skinned alive and the meat shipped abroad for the most elite over-priced restaurants to make money off our surplus pets. So what if dog and cat are a delicacy in some other country. Horses in the U.S. are not regulated nor bred not raised for the purpose of live-slaughter...they are bred and raised and sold as U.S. PETS and Sport/work animals. A horse is not a cow, a horse is considered a U.S. pet. Please quit slaughtering our American pets and making a profit off of this barbaric cruelty.
Once the United States legalizes annual 'bridle tags' for all U.S. horses that are weaned (simular to a dog tag or a license plate vehicle registration), horse theft, cruel neglect and irresponsible equine ownership will diminish, as it did with our annual dog-licensing regulations. This will also be good for American budget. Please urge the legislation of annual equine ownership registration.
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Posted by: Jennifer, Louisville, KY on July 15, 2011 at 07:34 PM
This is pathetic! What exactly do you think you are going to do to close slaughter houses in other countries? Start holding people accountible for the care of their animals. The practce of anti slaughter is so inhumane. You are allowing owners to starve their horses to death because there is no place else for them to go. This needs to stop! You guys are not winning the battle, so figure out how to fight for what is right. Humane care!
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Posted by: Cory , arlington heights , IL on June 30, 2011 at 06:12 PM
In my opinion what this article is saying is that by closing down the US slaughter plants we have actually made it worse for the horses here. The same amount of horses that were slaughtered here are now being shipped all the way to Mexico and Canada.
The only solution I can think of to help end the overpopulation of horses in America is to have some sort of gov't subsidised euthanasia and disposal program for people who can;t find a home for horses they can no longer afford.
People love to blame the thoroughbred industry for the amount of horses being killed when TBs make up a small portion of the ones being killed.
I am against slaughter in theory but am much more against people who starve and turn loose unwanted horses to roam the desert and die an agonizing death.
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Posted by: Tommy Lee, Crossville, IL on June 29, 2011 at 11:23 PM
Even if slaughter was allowed in the US..Slaughter stats did NOT make up 1% of the 9 million horses in the US. Slaughter is merely a reward for irresponsible people who make profits.. Do your research and you will see the facts.. The History of these plants in America have a bad record.. They operated illegal in Texas ignoring laws,They hired illegals, They promoted abuse and neglect with pay...IF the closing of illegal plants caused abuse and neglect to rise isnt abuse and neglect against the law... Why in the world would anyone want to reward criminals.Pro slaughter supporters have a History of NOT promoting or donating to rescues. There only word about rescues are they are under funded and over loaded. Slaughter is NOT the Answer.. punishing abusers NOT paying them...
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Posted by: Cory, Chicago, IL on June 27, 2011 at 10:01 PM
I am a horse trainer. I donate money to horse rescues, I am also currently using a rescue gelding as a lead pony. The main problem we face is over breeding and not just thoroughbreds but all breeds. I do everything in my power to find proper homes for all my horses. There are way to many backyard bred horses out there. Lots of people breed mares to have foals to adore, those foals get old and eventually need a home. If less people bred random mares there would be more room for ottb's. Ours is an industry and finances are a huge part of the decisions we make. I oppose slaughter in the inhumane way it is carried out. Unless something is done to aid veterinarian euthanasia the people who cannot afford a horse will continue to let them starve without some way to aid them I fear.
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