House Votes to Prohibit the Slaughtering of Horses for Food
The House voted to ban slaughtering horses for meat, a decision that would halt the export of the animals to dinner plates abroad. The chamber voted 263-146 to approve legislation barring anyone from sending horses to American or foreign slaughterhouses that process the animals for human consumption in Europe and Asia. The legislation's supporters said it would shut down a grim trade unworthy of an animal many Americans consider a companion and icon of the American West. ``Horses are part of our identity and heritage,'' said Representative Nick Rahall, a West Virginia Democrat. ``Yet the merchants of slaughter will have us believe that is fine and dandy to slaughter our horses for the sole purpose, the sole purpose, of sending their flesh overseas to support some warped demand among foreign diners for horse meat.'' The proposal's critics, which include the Department of Agriculture, said the slaughterhouses provide an affordable, humane and regulated way of disposing of unwanted horses. The vote sends the measure to the Senate, where lawmakers haven't said whether they will take up the legislation....
2 comments:
So what are we to do with all the surplus horses??? People who cannot make a lifetime commitment to another human being want to force horse people to make a lifetime commitment to a horse??? Look for the number of wild and free-roaming "feral" horses to sky rocket as people turn their surplus horses loose on the federal lands.
Perhaps those who refuse to calculate the cost of humane euthanasia of horses into their operating budgets -- personal or business -- have no right owning horses to begin with. And, as someone who has been married to one person for many years (and who has faithfully and diligently partnered with that person in the parenting of two difficult but ultimately incredibly rewarding children), I have no idea why you would characterize those who are against the cruel end that horses meet in slaughterhouses as people who "cannot make a lifetime commitment to another person." Is that how you would characterize the 91% of Americans who are against the slaughter of horses? For God's sake, what are you talking about?
Post a Comment