photo credit- @lindalaughs

Equine Legislative Proposal

Prepared for: Jessica Curry, adjunct Instructor
Prepared by: Jamee P. Bell, student
November 13, 2015
Proposal number: 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Problem
Legislation prohibiting shipping equine and equine by-products as well as equine processing for human
consumption by retracting USDA inspection funding has proven unsatisfactory. There have been severe
consequences to the equine industry and as a result, some 200,000 unwanted horses remain on private lands,
some 60,000 horses remain on public lands costing the government about $79 million annually. These unwanted
horses lack proper care and have a deteriorating affect on many eco systems. Though there are many humane
methods of equine euthanasia, there are few disposal options particularly when equine processing is prohibited.

Objective
Find a suitable solution that will encourage Congress to favor the only satisfactory equine welfare method that will
reduce the burdens of the excessive unwanted horse population by equine processing and shipping of equine
and horse meat to foreign markets.

Project Outline
In June 2005, Representative John Sweeney (R-NY)proposed an amendment in the 2005- 2006 appropriations
bill which would prohibit any funding from the bill to be allocated to United States Department of Agriculture
inspections on horse meat. The amendment was approved and on November 10, 2005 the Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2005-2006 was signed
into law and horse meat inspection funding ceased, closing the remaining three equine slaughterhouses in United
States; two in Texas and one in Illinois. In February of 2006, the United States Department of Agriculture issued
CFR 352.19, a regulation resolving slaughterhouse owners problems by bypassing the amendment and allowing
slaughterhouses to fund their own inspections. This achievement was not long lived as in March 2007, the Texas
operations were closed because of Chapter 149 of the Texas Agriculture Codewhich bans the sale, transfer or
possession of horse meat for human consumption. On March 29, the U.S. District Court ruled that this was illegal,
invalidating CFR 352.19 and closing the Illinois operation. Cavel, the Illinois operation, appealed the decision in
July and In May, the Governor of Illinois signed H.B. 1711 into law that would ban the slaughter of horses for
human consumptionin Illinois. Cavel also appealed this bill. In September, the U.S. Court of Appeals determined
that the bill was constitutional, closing the doors to Cavel for operation once again. A few years later in September
2011, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed a version of the appropriations bill that did not include the
same language that once banned equine slaughter and inspection. On November 17, 2011, Congress passed
The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that

excluded the ban on horse meat inspections for the first time since 2006. The following year, the Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act once again, included
language that would not fund inspections. In March 2013, the Safeguard American Food Exports Act or SAFE Act
would prohibit the sale or transport of equine and equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce for human
consumption. Members of the Appropriations committee will be tasked with creating a budget and allocating
those funds. Reallocating funding for federal inspections in The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act as well as repealing the SAFE Act is pertinent to the
welfare of the unwanted horse. As evident of the past legislative battles, funding USDA inspection of equine
slaughterhouses is not be a priority. This is why educating Congresspeople of the implications of continuing to
withhold funding is pivotal.

Calendar
Task deadline

Task description

Solution
Through re-opening slaughterhouses in the United States and permitting the shipment of equine and equine byproducts to foreign markets the gigantic unwanted horse population will be alleviated and will also alleviate the
strain on horse owners who can no longer care for their horses as well as the harsh ecological impact. Additionally,
re-opening processing plants reinstates potentially 460,000 or more jobs stimulating the economy. Re-opening
processing plants also allows the United States to contribute to a market that is greatly demanded abroad and will
reduce the almost $80 million expense associated with horses that are sustained on public lands.

BUDGET
United States Expenditures on the unwanted horse population

Description

Quantity

Unit Price

Cost

Approximate Expenses since 2006