According to USDA statistics, more than 66,000 horses were
slaughtered in 2004 for human consumption overseas. A further 20,000 were
exported for slaughter to Mexico and Canada.
Federal legislation to ban horse slaughter and the export
of live horses for slaughter failed in the House last year when it was
killed by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chairman of the U.S. House Committee
on Agriculture although the bill had a clear majority of the House with
228 co-sponsors.
An amendment to the American Horse Protection Act, H.R.
503, was introduced when Congress reconvened earlier this year, which if
successful will accomplish what the previous bill set out to do - ban the
slaughter of our horses. It currently has 92 co-sponsors. A Senate version
of the bill is shortly to be introduced.
Although the horse-loving community and horse industry
members are all too aware of this brutal industry, it has largely escaped
the attention of the general public.
There are currently three horse slaughter plants in the
United States, two in Texas and one in Illinois. In order for us to shut
their doors, it will take pressure from the American public on their
legislators to accomplish this.
We invite you to please get involved. Join our Horses
Rock! End Slaughter campaign today.
Write to your U.S. Congressmen and ask them to support
H.R. 503. Help spread the word by wearing tanks and tees from our
beautiful and exclusive line of apparel. You can shop for them securely
online at www.cafepress.com/fund4horses.
All proceeds from your purchase will go to raise awareness
and support this legislation, critical to the protection of our horses
from a cruel and terrifying death in a slaughterhouse.
For further information on how you can help, please visit
us at www.fund4horses.org.
Pamela Bertsch
Project Co-Ordinator
The Fund for Horses
Go on to ACT Radio
Return to 22 May 2005 Issue
Return to Newsletters
** Fair Use Notice**
This document may contain copyrighted material, use of which has not been
specifically authorized by the copyright owners. I believe that this
not-for-profit, educational use on the Web constitutes a fair use of the
copyrighted material (as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright
Law). If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your
own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright
owner.
