White House Ok's Killing Horses For Human Consumption

In 2006, Congress eliminated funding for the inspection of horse slaughtering facilities. Without a government inspection process, these slaughterhouses could on longer bring their product to market, and the industry began to disappear.

Critics called this a “backdoor ban” and pointed out that defunding slaughter houses only moved the industry to Mexico and Canada where health safety standards and regulations regarding animal treatment are lax or even non-existent. A government report also found that the ban depressed prices for horses in the U.S. and led to a surge in reports of neglect or abuse as owners of older horses had no way of disposing of them. Before the ban, the horse slaughter business generated some $65 million in revenues a year.

Claiming concern for citizens’ health, the Department of Agriculture bill, signed into law Nov. 18, reinstates federal funding for USDA inspection of horse meat intended for human consumption.

“While we have a long way to go, responsible processing represents a vital first step in reversing the unintended consequences to blame for the dismal state of neglected horses and their frustrated caregivers across our country,” said Rep. Adrian Smith, a Nebraska Republican who fought for the change. “Reinstating a humane, accountable and legal management tool is good for horses, good for owners and is good policy.”

According to a pro-slaughter group called United Horsemen, meat processors are now considering opening facilities in at least a half-dozen states, including Georgia, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oregon, Wyoming, Montana, and possibly Idaho.

Of course, some animal rights groups are stunned by the quiet approval of this measure.

“What we feared would happen did,” wrote PETA on its official blog. “Rather than have a change of heart and stop killing horses, greedy ranchers who deal in horse flesh simply jammed their “commodities” into tractor trailers and hauled the frightened animals hundreds of miles to Canada and Mexico – a journey most did not have to face before – to terrifying deaths in slaughterhouses there.”

Photos and video taken secretly from inside horse slaughterhouses has repeatedly shown that the horses are not humanely killed.

But even if you take the animal rights arguments out of it, is this really a good policy for the United States as a whole? As a blogger for The Persian Horse points out, re-funding the inspection process for this cruel export business will have little benefit for the American taxpayers who will foot the bill.

Let’s forget for the moment that candidate Barack Obama in 2008 pledged to keep the ban on horse slaughter permanent (another promise to voters reneged?) Let’s forget, too, that American horses are not bred or raised for consumption. Let’s forget that the few countries where horsemeat is consumed (France, Belgium and Japan among them) are ignoring the outright cruelty to horses that raises the hackles of right-thinking Americans. The simple question is: do we want our tax dollars spent to inspect horses who were slaughtered in incredibly cruel fashion (a bolt through the forehead that doesn’t kill them immediately) so foreign owners of slaughter plants can profit? In the midst of a recession when other crucial programs such as Medicare and education are suffering deep cuts, the answer is a resounding, “no.”

TAKE ACTION: If the reintroduction of horse slaughter plants disgusts and disappoints you, please take a moment to sign the following petition.

Stop Horse Slaughter In The U.S.!

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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ruth p.

11:24AM PST on Dec 16, 2011

stop him.....stop him........don't do this to your horses...don't let people see America do this.

send a green star

Bruce S.

11:13AM PST on Dec 15, 2011

There's just NO EXCUSE for Obama signing that bill. We're going BACKWARDS!

Beverly G.

7:07PM PST on Dec 11, 2011

i agree with Debbie W.

RoseMarie P.

3:39AM PST on Dec 11, 2011

I suggest that anyone with questions/comments, go to the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma (open page) and read what at least one Indian (Native American) thinks about eating horses. I hope that between us (encompassing as many tribes as possible) we can change the opinions of the King of America and his minions. Would those and the King's family, sit down to a lovely dinner of bloody horse steak? You can bet NOT!

Dawn D.

8:06AM PST on Dec 10, 2011

i really hate that he did this. i won't be voting for him again. they need to stop all slaughter in the us. close all the houses down, and close the loophole that allows for transport out of the us for slaughter.

Diane L.

11:21AM PST on Dec 8, 2011

No problem, Rose. You might check out, if you're interested, a website for Chris Cox, who is a horse trainer. He actually bought the BLM mustang he participated with in a competition called "Mustang Challenge" and that is where 12 clinicians all were given a Mustang to work with from scratch and have 3 days in which to ride it and compete with it to show how far they can go. Another one is Ken McNabb. He talks about the BLM Mustangs a lot on his show, and his website. He lives in Wyoming, I believe, next to BLM land.

The holding pens are not accessible to everyone, and that is a shame. Most are in Missouri, I believe. Madeline Pickens, wife of the CEO of a major oil/gas company, wanted to establish a sanctuary for them on her own property, in Texas, but was not granted the permits. The cost to adopt a Mustang usually is about $200, sometimes a bit more, sometimes less, just depends on the animal. Many people are turned off by that because there are now thousands of horses available for free, so why go to Missouri and pay $200 when you can get a free horse right down the road?

11:09AM PST on Dec 8, 2011

Diane. Thank you for correcting my errors. Perhaps I did speak without total knowledge of the subject. Walk Gently On The Earth Mother. Rose

10:48AM PST on Dec 8, 2011

RoseMarie, that was pretty pathetic. You apparently think that because Mr. Obama chose to do his homework and get a hypo-allergenic dog for his daughters, that was not responsible? The breed he chose, after a lot of research, was hardly a "popular" breed. Few people ever heard of them, and Michelle even joked about how she took "Bo" out to Petco once and a lot of people asked her if he was a Poodle. Why is Obama's choice for getting a dog related to the plight of BLM Mustangs, or reopening slaughterhouses? Just an FYI, BLM Mustangs are still available for adoption. In fact, there are more still in holding pens and have been for a long time, than applicants. You might do a bit of research, yourself on this before making such an unfactual remark. Some have been in pens for over two years, and yes, the taxpayers are paying the bill.

9:41AM PST on Dec 8, 2011

...con't from previous.
The rabbit SCREAMED.. Blood poured out of it nose and eyes and mouth and ears. I was screaming with it. I hit it again as hard as I could. I saw such pain in those eyesEven now 25 years later, I cry thinking about it, talking, writing. I had to hit it hard. The first time was not enough. Never again. Now I am a 'Pet Grievance Counselor'. Something must be done to stop the murder of the horses. I don't have the answers. I wish Obama were a better human being. I wonder if he has ever touched a horse felt it's whole body trimble under a gentle hand
Why did he have to get a 'popular, expensive dog?' Why not a stray? Does their dog sleep in bed with them. They make such warm blankets all curled up next to you. I'm sending a copy of this to Mr and Mrs Obama. I have more to say to them. thank you for allowing me so much space to vent my anger and sense of loss. Our Earth Mother is screaming with the pain of all cruelty and loss of her precious lives. Tell me what to do. I have no money, well,little money. Ron and I are on SS. We have 3 'dump dogs'

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/white-house-oks-killing-horses-for-human-consumption.html#ixzz1fxtnHSCH.

9:22AM PST on Dec 8, 2011

NO, no,no,NO! This must not happen. What to do? A few short years ago, people were allowed to adopt the wild horses, as long as they had room for them and could come get them. Why not do that again. Oh this is horrible. I too, am appalled. I too feel despair. And I did believe that Obama would make changes.. I don't want to see them starving or sick - not cared for. But there must be some way to stop this.. Meat eaters always have the reasons...answers...I do not eat animals. I couldn't. The years when I was growing up in the country I ate a lot of meat...But over the last years I cannot put a piece of meat in my mouth. I have no answers to this. BUT, I do know that "death in a slaughterhouse" is not quick. The animals scream. Some are skinned before they are dead. Some are crammed in and trambled by others..then drug inside with huge hooks. They are still alive. I've been there.. I've seen it. Diane L. has probably not been in one. I suggest that everyone who eats meat go . Visit, in person a chicken/egg factory when they are culling. The workers wear heavy gloves and grab the chickens any way they can., slamming them against the boards or ground.. My husband and I raised rabbits - at first for pets - then for food. I was told by a 'friend' that the quickest way to 'knock them out' was to hit them in the headwith a baseball bat. I did it. Even now 25 years later, I cry thinking about it, talking, writing. I had to hit it hard. The first time was not enough. The