Ag Groups Watching Horse Processing Bill

Following passage of H.R. 503in the House, a bill which bans the option of horse processing, it is now up to the Senate to decide whether or not to take action on the measure.

NCBA says the House vote in September was a vote against agriculture.  “Processing livestock for food is one of our nation’s most heavily regulated industries,” said Mike John, NCBA president and Missouri cattleman.  “We believe in the systems we have in place to ensure all food animals — including horses — are processed humanely and safely.  But proponents of H.R. 503 want to ban processing of some livestock — horses — for human consumption.  If it’s horses today, could it be cattle tomorrow?”

This bill is being opposed by over 190 national and state organizations including the American Quarter Horse Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, and NCBA.  In addition, USDA Secretary Mike Johanns told House Ag Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.): “USDA is opposed to H.R. 503 and all the amendments. … In short, we believe that there is a significant probability that the enactment of this bill could result in a reduction in the humane treatment of horses.”

Passing this legislation could set a dangerous precedent for banning other meats for reasons other than science, safety or public health.  And, removing processing as a management option actually poses a greater risk to horse welfare.

“As many as 90,000 horses will need care, food and shelter,” said Texas cattleman and NCBA member Paxton Ramsey, who testified this summer before Congress on the bill.  “H.R. 503 fails to address the problems of costs for care, the unintended mistreatment of these animals in non-regulated rescue facilities, and the environmental concerns of disposing of carcasses.”

NCBA asks its cattlemen members to weigh in on this issue with your senator.  Congress is scheduled to return to Washington Nov. 13, and they’ll begin working on bills they want to pass before adjourning.  Visit http://capwiz.com/beefusa to learn how you can participate in the effort to defeat H.R. 503.