Horse Slaughter in the USA
Why address this issue now?
Several events have caused the subject of horses for human consumption to be debated recently. In 1998, a ballot initiative was passed in
It appears to be the first step by animal activists to initiate campaigns aimed at making the human consumption of livestock illegal.
Do horse associations approve of the processing of horses for human consumption?
Many support the rights of horse owners to manage their personal property in their best interests, provided their horses are treated humanely and with dignity, respect, and compassion. This is a societal and cultural issue, and will be viewed differently by individual horse owners. No one should oppose the human consumption of horses as long as all state, federal, and international laws and regulations are obeyed. Without the existence of this legal market, some animals would be less than humanly managed until the end of their life.
Would banning the processing of horses for human consumption be a significant step toward improving equine welfare?
No. A legal ban on processing horses for human consumption will not solve the underlying problem of unwanted horses. In fact, such a ban has a high probability of increasing the potential for abuse for horses that are no longer wanted. The decision to send a horse to a processing facility is a personal one. Although certainly not the most desirable, it is one way to dispose of a horse, which cannot be cared for, or has no viable use. Removing this option could make conditions far worse for unwanted horses. Owners with economic constraints may not be able to provide long-term, quality care. Thus, the horse’s health and welfare could be compromised or progress to a neglected condition if a ban on horse processing were imposed. Horses are considered livestock and should be treated as such. Welfare considerations for horses are problematic since society today expects the treatment and standard of care for horses to be similar to what they have come to expect for family pets, such as dogs and cats. This is true even though horses are often housed, fed, transported and handled much like other livestock. Due to their large body size, required expertise in handling and care, and the subsequent cost of care these expectations for horses are not realistic.
Is this an animal rights activists’ issue?
Yes and no. Many well-meaning horse owners who are not animal rights activists get involved in campaigns to end the processing of horses for human consumption, feeling it is the right thing to do. But generally, these campaigns are part of a larger animal activist movement to end not only the use of animals as a human food source, but also ownership of animals - all animals. Animal activists’ larger goal is to eliminate the use of animals in any capacity.
As a part of these campaigns, activists wish to reclassify horses as companion animals, claiming this would give horses more protection. Actually, this reclassification would be detrimental to both equine welfare and the horse industry. A white paper produced by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and the American
Horse Council, Legal Status of Horses as Livestock, clearly outlines the potential effects of redefining horses out of their federal and state classifications as livestock in the areas of welfare, research, liability laws and tax considerations.
If not considered livestock, horses would not be protected by the regulatory framework that currently underpins equine welfare in the
Recent legislative proposals regarding equine transportation and processing for human consumption are just another step in the activists’ campaigns.
How does the international market relate to the welfare of horses?
The international market provides a price floor within the equine industry that ensures every horse has a baseline economic value at every stage of its lifecycle. This is important because it prevents serious welfare problems such as overpopulation; it deters neglect, which would become a significant problem if horses were no longer of any commercial value.
The value of
What and how many horses are involved annually?
Horses processed for human consumption in 2002 represent less than one (l) per cent of the 6.9 million commercial and recreational horses in the
It is estimated that more than a third of all slaughter-bound horses in the
Most of the horses your children ride at summer camps, dude ranches and riding academies are sold for meat when they can no longer perform.
Very little horse meat is used in dog food; it's too expensive with some cuts selling for over US$20.00 per pound.
The majority of surviving foals born to the 80,000 PMU mares in North America to produce the estrogen replacement drug, Premarin, are considered by-products, and are sold for slaughter (as are their mothers when no longer productive.)
Aside from the visible high end, most horses sold at auction are bought by "killer buyers" (middlemen for slaughter plants) and go straight to slaughter often without disclosure or the knowledge of the sellers which promotes and often results in consumer fraud and horse theft. The rendering plants should be required to know where every horse came from and be able to back it up with documentation. That way if a horse is stolen it will stand a greater chance of being recovered.
Why not euthanize and bury horses on site?
This may be a viable alternative in some cases. The disposal of a horse’s carcass is an environmental concern. In many areas, state or local laws make it illegal to bury a horse on private property or dump the carcass in a landfill. Some horse owners with limited economic resources may find the expense of veterinarian euthanasia cost prohibitive, increasing the likelihood of neglect. Euthanasia, at a federally inspected and regulated processing facility, is more humane than a slow, prolonged death from starvation. These facilities must comply with strict federal and state codes designed for the treatment of these horses.
Due to the large size of a hole required to bury a horse, a backhoe tractor is needed and costs can range from $300 to more than $500. The burial option is becoming increasingly restrictive due to negative environmental externalities created by decomposing horse carcasses.
For the limited areas where rendering is a disposal option, the cost for the rendering company to pick up the carcass ranges from $75 to $250 or more.
Disposal at landfills is also becoming increasingly difficult. Local regulations and the rules of the individual firms operating the landfill dictate disposal options. Landfills that accept horse carcasses will likely have a drop-off charge.
Incineration is a bio-secure method of carcass disposal, but it is costly. The cost to incinerate a horse ranges from $600 to $2,000 and up depending on fuel costs.
Eliminating horse processing as an option for unwanted horses will increase the demand on the already constrained methods of horse carcass disposal and creates a new source of negative environmental externalities
Can the welfare of horses be protected if they are going to the international market for human consumption?
Yes. The industry has clearly defined regulations, enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), to protect the animals being processed or transported to processing facilities. As with all livestock, the actual processing of the horse for human consumption is fully regulated by the USDA, and has been for years under the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. This requires USDA veterinarians and inspectors to review the processing plants and their methods to ensure they are following the requisite procedures. Horses must be handled in the same manner as other livestock by processing facilities and violations of the law subject processing plants to civil and criminal penalties.
Isn’t the transportation of horses to processing facilities a major welfare issue?
Many who advocate placing a ban on the processing of horses for human consumption feel that transportation is a major detriment to the welfare of horses. However, studies have shown otherwise. A study conducted by Temple Grandin, Ph.D., and published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in l999 stated, “Results of this study indicate that owner abuse or neglect is the primary cause of severe welfare problems in horses arriving at slaughter plants.”
In March 1996 Congress passed the Commercial Transportation of Equines to Slaughter Act. The Secretary of Agriculture was given authority to promulgate regulations to address welfare concerns surrounding the transport of equines to processing facilities. These regulations cover, among other things, the food, water, and rest that must be provided to horses, the actions required of a shipper in loading and transporting the horses, the fitness of the horses for travel and the nature of the trucks to be used. The horse industry supports these regulations and met with the USDA several times seeking their adoption. The rules have now been implemented, and will be enforced by USDA veterinarians who will meet and inspect each shipment of horses upon arrival at the facility.
Here is
Summary: This statute outlines the requirements for transporting equine to slaughter, including, but limited to, proper ventilation, sufficient space for equine to stand, and the use of ramps and floors with nonskid surfaces.
Statute in Full:
(a) Any person who transports an equine in a vehicle to slaughter shall meet the following requirements:
l. The vehicle shall have sufficient clearance to allow the equine to be transported in a standing position with its head in a normal upright position above its withers.
2. Any ramps and floors in the vehicle shall be covered with a nonskid surface to prevent the equine from slipping.
3. The vehicle shall provide adequate ventilation to the equine while the equine is being transported.
4. The sides and overhead of the vehicle shall be constructed to withstand the weight of any equine which may put pressure against the sides or overhead.
5. Any compartments in the interior of the vehicle shall be constructed of smooth materials and shall contain no protrusions or sharp objects.
6. The size of the vehicle shall be appropriate for the number of equine being transported and the welfare of the equine shall not be jeopardized by overcrowding.
7. Stallions shall be segregated during transportation to slaughter.
8. Diseased, sick, blind, dying, or otherwise disabled equine shall not be transported out of this state.
9. Any equine being transported shall be able to bear weight on all four feet.
10. Unweaned foals shall not be transported.
11. Mares in their last trimester of pregnancy shall not be transported.
12. The person shall notify a humane officer having jurisdiction 72 hours before loading the equine in order that the humane officer may perform a thorough inspection of the vehicle to determine if all requirements of this section have been satisfied.
(b)
1. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and is subject to a fine of one hundred dollars ($100) per equine being transported.
2. Any person who violates this section for a second or subsequent time is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined five hundred dollars ($500) per equine being transported.
(c) Whenever a person is taken into custody by an officer for a violation of this section, the officer shall take charge of the vehicle and its contents and deposit the property in some place of custody.
(d)
l. Any necessary expense incurred for taking care of and keeping the property described in subdivision (c) is a lien thereon, to be paid before the property can be lawfully recovered.
2. If the expense, or any part thereof remains unpaid, it may be recovered by the person incurring the expense from the owner of the equine in an action therefore
(e) For the purposes of this section, "equine" means any horse, pony, burro, or mule.
What role do horse auctions play in the process?
In the horse industry, and in other parts of the agricultural world, auctions have been used for centuries as the primary means of facilitating transactions. The USDA regulates auctions in the
Within the horse industry, auctions facilitate the buying and selling of horses for virtually every purpose, most of which are more lucrative for sellers than the international meat market. An auction provides a forum where the value and use of horses are determined by the market, based on the opinions of the equine experts in attendance. High-quality animals are sold for racing, show ring competitions, ranch work or recreational riding. Lesser-quality animals, including unsound animals, are purchased by the processing facilities for processing into the international markets for food. Without this market, these animals would be at risk for neglect, abuse, and other welfare problems.
Doesn’t the fact that
There is a very good reason for the fact that the only law banning processing of horses for human consumption was passed by the initiative process. When a bill is introduced, legislators and their staff look into the issue surrounding that proposed bill and vote accordingly. Legislators have constantly voted against such proposals after learning about the welfare, environmental and other issues surrounding the ban of processing horses for human consumption. Legislators also are aware that regulations are in place to protect horses during transport. The public, on the other hand, votes on initiatives without the benefit of scientific and documented facts that legislators consider on such issues. Unfortunately, the public, if unaware of the larger perspective, can be susceptible to emotional campaigns by animal activists suggesting it’s “the right thing to do.” The right thing to do for the horses in this case is to approve legislation allowing slaughter as an option.
Is humane euthanasia possible for horses being processed for human consumption?
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) considers the captive bolt method an acceptable and practical means of euthanasia for horses. When properly administered by trained personnel with well-maintained equipment, it is the most humane method available for euthanasia of horses for human consumption.
Isn’t the issue of using horses as a human food source a matter of cultural perspective, not ethics?
Some feel that humans under any circumstances should not consume horsemeat. Many Americans find this practice unacceptable, just as we frown upon many customs and foods that other cultures deem acceptable.
However, decisions about equine welfare must be based on scientific facts and solid animal husbandry. Allowing emotional issues, cultural perspectives, or uninformed consumer opinion to jeopardize overall equine welfare would be a tragedy for horses in this country.
So what is the best solution?
As with all issues, it is important to keep a proper perspective. There are laws and regulations in effect to address welfare concerns regarding horses destined for human consumption.
Recognize that leading equine veterinary and regulatory organizations such as the AAEP, the AVMA and the USDA have experts that make professional recommendations and enforce regulations, ensuring that horses destined for human consumption are treated humanely and with dignity.
To maximize the value of your breeding stock, when considering breeding your mare, breed for a specific market. Castrate stallions of inferior quality. Always consider pedigree, conformation, performance records, and disposition of your breeding stock before proceeding.
If you are following sound breeding practices and are having difficulty finding a buyer for your horse in a specific market, consider alternative uses of your horse and try marketing it in that capacity.
Finally, don’t be misled by animal activists having hidden agendas.
Seek facts and information through legitimate industry organizations.
Why in the
The
The Conclusion?
Slaughter in the USA will protect the horses by keeping them where they can be regulated during transportation and slaughter. It allows for easier recovery of stolen horses and will increase all horses values.
It will add to the economy by bringing business home. Any state that approves measures to allow it in their state will benefit from the added business and will see an increase in their jobs.
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