House Bill 305 - A ban on the transportation of all horses in double deck trucks

PRCA Livestock Welfare News "Take Action"
August 3, 2010

House Bill 305 - A ban on the transportation of all horses in double deck trucks

This bill passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee after being brought to markup in committee with 2 ½ days notice with no hearing on the matter. Rep. Boswell of IA expressed concern about the effect on the rodeo industry and offered an amendment. In the end, he agreed to withdraw the amendment at the urging of Chairman Oberstar of MN and the bill passed with unanimous consent after the Chairman agreed to discuss the issues before the bill goes to the floor. This happened with one day left in the session before the August Recess.

ACTION NEEDED
Since this bill has passed committee, it could go to the House Floor at any time after the August recess on September 13, 2010. All rodeo supporters should:

1. Fax or email a letter of opposition to your Representative in Congress. There is not a Senate Bill at this time but include a copy of your letter to both of your Senators to let them know there is opposition.
a. Due to security measures, it takes a long time for a letter to be delivered, so faxing or emailing material reaches your representatives and senators sooner. If you do not want to write, you may call the representative's office and register your opposition.
b. To find your Congressional Representative, go to www.house.gov; click on Write Your Representative or Find Your Representative upper left; and enter your zip code. The link to his/her webpage will provide contact information.
c. You may also include all or part of a report published by the PRCA titled, "Transporting Rodeo Horses in Modified Double Deck Trailers", which can be found here.
2. Try and set up a face to face meeting with your Congressional Representative while he/she is at home on August recess to discuss this issue.
3. Monitor the political races in your area and ask candidates about their positions on agriculture, rodeo, and animal use.

BACKGROUND
Representative Kirk (IL), with Co Sponsors Rep. Cohen (TN) and Rep. Whitfield (KY) introduced a bill (H.R. 305) to ban hauling horses in double deck trailers on January 8, 2009.
Congressman Kirk said he was prompted to introduce this legislation by an accident in Wadsworth, Illinois in October, 2007 involving the overturning of a double deck cattle trailer carrying 59 Belgian draft horses. Eight horses died at the scene and ten were later euthanized. Currently, several states including New York and Pennsylvania have laws prohibiting the transport of horses in double deck trailers, additionally federal regulation prohibit hauling horse to slaughter plants in double deck trailers.

THE BILL
The bill, titled the 'Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2009', was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed out of that committee on July 29, 2010.
Partial text of the bill:
`(a) Prohibition- No person may transport, or cause to be transported, a horse from a place in a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States through or to a place in another State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States in a motor vehicle containing two or more levels stacked on top of one another.
`(b) Civil Penalty- A person that knowingly violates this section is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of at least $100 but not more than $500 for each violation. A separate violation occurs under this section for each horse that is transported, or caused to be transported, in violation of this section. On learning of a violation, the Attorney General shall bring a civil action to collect the penalty in the district court of the United States for the judicial district in which the violation occurred or the defendant resides or does business. Complete information on the bill, click here.

REASONS TO OPPOSE H.R. 305
• As the bill is drafted, horses would be prohibited from transport in any double deck trailer--even in those which are modified to provide safe and comfortable conditions of adequate head room and non-slip floors and ramps.

• Modified double deck trailers are routinely used and have been successfully used for many years to safely transport valuable rodeo livestock, including horses. Eliminating double deck trailers and purchasing replacement trailers and trucks to pull them unfairly entails unnecessary expense.

• Unlike some transport of horses where the animals may be unfamiliar with each other and inexperienced in being hauled, rodeo horses are part of a familiar herd that are accustomed to this kind of transport, and they are well adapted to it.

SAMPLE LETTER

Use the opening paragraphs and following to create a personalized fax or email. Add your personal experience with hauling horses in double deck trailers or seeing horses at rodeos that have been safely transported in these trailers.

Honorable ____________
Washington, DC

RE: Opposition to HR 305

Dear Representative _______________:

As a supporter of the sport of rodeo I am writing to express my concerns about H.R. 305, the Horse Transportation Safety Act, and urge you to oppose this bill.

This bill was rushed through the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee without even three days notice. There has not been a hearing to adequately debate the consequences.

This bill would ban the use of double deck trailers to transport horses. I am opposed to it because ....PERSONALIZE THIS PORTION FROM THE TALKING POINTS ABOVE OR YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. Include your role as a committee members, contestant, stock contractor, etc and what you have seen personally and combine with one or more of the reasons above.

To view a video of a stock contractor explaining and touring a double deck horse trailer go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRagrwxwXT0

Thank you for your consideration of my personal experience regarding the sport of rodeo and the horses involved that are routinely and safely transported in specially modified double deck trailers. Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,
Include your full name, address, phone and email address.


Thank you for your interest and support in livestock welfare issues and the PRCA. Do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Cindy Schonholtz
PRCA Director of Industry Outreach
719-440-7255
animalwelfare@prorodeo.com