020244 Groups Applaud Ban on Sale of Horsemeat

Washington - Rep. Connie Morella (R-Md.) has introduced the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, which will ban the trade in horsemeat and live horses for human consumption.

"More than 55,000 horses were slaughtered in America last year to satisfy consumer demand overseas. Thousands more were shipped live to Canada and Mexico for slaughter there. Americans do not eat horses. We do not raise them for food. When told that our horses are being slaughtered for dinner in Europe, the vast majority of Americans are horrified and want the practice banned," said Morella.

Once on the decline, the number of American horses going to slaughter has increased significantly in the past year. This trend may be due to European and Japanese concerns about mad cow disease and foot and mouth disease, and the subsequent desire to find "safer" sources of meat.

"The American public is largely unaware of this outrageous cruelty. Our horses are being slaughtered for human consumption overseas, and the three foreign- owned slaughterhouses operating in the U.S. would like to keep it that way. To allow this industry to continue operating here is to accept federally sanctioned cruelty," said Chris Heyde of the Society for Animal Protective Legislation (SAPL).

Several states have passed laws either prohibiting the slaughter and/or consumption of horseflesh, or restricting the manner in which horses are transported to slaughter. Earlier this month, federal regulations concerning the commercial transport of horses to slaughter were implemented, but animal advocates say they offer little real protection for the horses, hence the call for an outright ban on the slaughter of horses for human consumption.

"We applaud Representative Morella for introducing the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. This strong bill will end this atrocious trade for good. It is long overdue, and has our absolute support," said Holly E. Hazard, executive director of the Doris Day Animal League (DDAL).

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