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Horse
Industry News
The findings from the Unwanted Horse Coalition's Study on Contributing Factors Surrounding the Unwanted Horse
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American Horse Council
MEMORANDUM
To: AHC Member Organizations
From: The Unwanted Horse Coalition
Re: UHC Releases National Survey Results
Date: July 9, 2009
The findings from the Unwanted Horse Coalition’s Study on Contributing Factors Surrounding the Unwanted Horse Issue are now available on the UHC website at www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org. The study is the first of its kind to assess the causes and magnitude of the unwanted horse population in the United States.
Results indicate that the problem of unwanted horses is perceived to be growing on many fronts. More than 90% of participants believe the number of unwanted horses, as well as those neglected and abused, is increasing. Almost all participants (87%) indicate that in the past year, the issue of unwanted horses has become “a big problem,” compared with only 22% who said the problem was important three years ago. Respondents also report that the number of horses being euthanized is increasing.
In light of one of the worst economic downturns in U.S. history, the economy is considered to be a significant contributor to the unwanted horse problem. The closing of the nation’s processing facilities, changes in breed demand/indiscriminate breeding, as well as the high costs of euthanasia and carcass disposal are also cited by respondents as major contributors.
Regarding placement options for unwanted horses, 63% of equine rescue/retirement facilities polled report they are at near or full capacity and, on average, turn away 38% of the horses brought to them. Capacity is clearly the issue in that as many horses stay for life at the facilities as are adopted out.
Survey respondents believe the top solutions for solving the problem of unwanted horses are to educate owners to purchase and own responsibly, increase the ability of private rescue and retirement facilities to care for unwanted horses, reopen the U.S. processing plants, and increase options and resources for euthanizing and disposing of unwanted horses.
The survey was conducted from November 2008 to January 2009 by an independent market research company. More than 23,000 horse owners, equine industry stakeholders and non-horse owners participated. For additional information, please contact UHC Director, Julia Andersen, jandersen@horsecouncil.org or (202) 296-4031.
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Slaughter Horse Developments
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MEMORANDUM
To: AHC Organizations
From: American Horse Council
PLEASE REVIEW
Re: Slaughter Horse Developments
Date: July 8, 2009
As you know, the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009 has been re-introduced in both the House (H.R. 503) and the Senate (S. 727). This legislation would criminalize the possession, transport, sale, delivery, or receiving in interstate or foreign commerce of a horse or horse meat with the intent that it be used for human consumption. It would apply to the transport and sale of horses for slaughter in the U.S. or to a foreign country.
Penalties would include fines and/or one year imprisonment for a first offense or one involving five or fewer horses. Offenses involving more than five horses or repeat offenders would face increased fines and/or up to three years imprisonment.
Both bills have been referred to the respective Judiciary Committees.
While there has been no action on these bills, Congress has taken several actions recently regarding the processing of horses for human consumption. The House and Senate are about to consider Appropriations Bill providing funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2010. Both bills include provisions affecting horse slaughter. The industry should take particular note of one new provision, a call for a study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) of the status of horse welfare as it relates to the closing of the slaughter plants.
The GAO is an independent federal agency that Congress often turns to for reports and analysis of important issues. GAO evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other data to help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions.
The call for a GAO study of the slaughter issue is a new piece to the on-going debate on this issue. Such a study could provide information to the industry as it deals with the unwanted horse issue. We would like some feedback on this concept.
House USDA Appropriations Bill
The House bill (H.R. 2297) includes language that would cut-off funding for USDA activities related to the slaughter of horses. This provision is similar to those that have been included in previous USDA appropriations bills passed in previous Congresses. Since the amendment is part of an appropriations bill, the funding ban would last for Fiscal Year 2010, which extends from October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010. This provision would in effect take USDA personnel out of the process and prevent slaughter. Although there are no plants operating in the U.S. now, it would also prevent USDA personnel from inspecting horses at any new plants that might open.
This provision is not included in the Senate USDA Appropriations bill.
Senate USDA Appropriations Bill
The Senate bill (S. 1406) includes a new provision not included in prior legislation directing the GAO to conduct an investigation on the status of horse welfare in this country as it relates to the cessation of horse slaughter operations. [Italics added.] Among other factors, the Committee directs GAO to consider:
How the horse industry has responded to the closure of U.S. horse slaughter facilities in terms of both the numbers of horse sales, exports, adoptions, or abandonments;
The implications these changes have had on farm income and trade;
The extent to which horses in the United States are slaughtered for any purpose;
Any impacts to State and local governments and animal protection organizations;
How the Department oversees the transport of horses destined for slaughter in foreign countries, particularly Canada and Mexico;
The manner in which the Department coordinates with the Department of the Interior and State governments to assist them in identifying, holding and transporting unwanted horses for foreign export; and
General conclusions regarding the welfare of horses as a result of a ban on horse slaughter for human consumption.
The Committee directs the GAO to issue its report by March 1, 2010.
This provision is not in the House USDA appropriations bill.
Next Congressional Steps
The House and Senate will now consider their respective appropriations bills. It remains to be seen whether the two provisions described above will survive floor consideration. If they do, these provisions, along with other differences in the bills, will have to be reconciled through a conference committee that includes representatives of both the House and Senate. That committee will decide if the provisions remain in the final conference bill that will be sent back to the House and Senate for final passage.
GAO Study
As noted above, a GAO study may provide additional, needed information regarding this issue.
Please give us your thoughts on the value of such an independent study as soon as possible.
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The American Horse Council's “Welfare of the Horse” Forum
is Now Available on Horse TV's H-SPAN
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WASHINGTON UPDATE
To: AHC Organizational Members
Date: June 26, 2009
The American Horse Council’s “Welfare of the Horse” Forum
is Now Available on Horse TV’s H-SPAN
On Tuesday June 16, 2009 the American Horse Council held “The Welfare of the Horse” forum in Washington, DC. The Forum, sponsored by Luitpold, was held as part of the AHC’s National Issues Forum and featured speakers from segments of the horse community as varied as competition, sport, work and entertainment. Speakers and panelists discussed the many welfare and safety initiatives that various segments of the horse industry have in place or are instituting.
The Welfare of the Horse forum created an opportunity for the industry to provide reports on the welfare and safety initiatives already in place and those that are being undertaken. It also lets the fans, the general public, the media, and elected officials know how important this is to the horse community.
The forum is available for on-demand viewing on http://www.horsetv.com/hspan_ahc1.htm. H-SPAN is a digital channel providing coverage of industry symposiums, meetings, educational presentations and more on its equestrian television portal, HorseTV.com. It is a continuing service provided by HorseTV for the benefit of the international horse community, and its mission is to inform, educate, empower and unite the industry worldwide.
Dr. Scott Palmer, a nationally-know veterinarian and past-president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, delivered the keynote address. Other featured speakers included Gary Carpenter, executive director of the American Quarter Horse Foundation, Cindy Schonholtz, president of the Animal Welfare Council, Dr. Tom Lenz, chairman of the Unwanted Horse Coalition and Dr. Gail Golab, Director, Animal Welfare Division of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The forum also included panels on racing, showing, sport, and work. The panels included representatives from racing, showing, eventing, hunter-jumpers, endurance riding, rodeo, carriage operators, polo, sales/auctions, entertainment and research. Representatives from national organizations involved in all these activities provided an update on their welfare activities. This was the most inclusive presentation on safety and welfare ever assembled in terms of its breadth and the activities and organizations involved.
The forum can be viewed by visiting HorseTV.com and clicking on the H-SPAN icon.
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