Defunding of USDA horse slaughter inspections ripped from Appropriations Bill

UPDATE: Rep. Jim Moran offered an amendment to re-insert the USDA defunding language. The Moran Amendment passed 24-21 following a Roll Call vote.

———

During the 109th Congress, sponsors of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503/S. 311) successfully sought enactment of a rider in Appropriations Acts (budget bills) to deny federal funding for USDA inspections of horse slaughtering operations under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 601 et seq.). Such inspections are required for the marketing of horse meat for human consumption.

Subsequent Appropriations Acts have included this language, until now.

The Agriculture Budget Bill, currently being considered in Subcommittee in the 112th Congress, as is, omits the measure, paving the way for the return of horse slaughter to U.S. soil.

The proposed Agriculture budget bill is scheduled for a vote on by the full House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 5 p.m. EST in Room 2359, Rayburn House Office Building.

WHO TO CONTACT

Immediate action required! Please call Monday and Tuesday. We urge you to call. However, if you cannot, then please fax a statement.

>> Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-2131 or the Committee’s number at (202) 225-2638.

>> Call (202) 225-2771 for Republican Committee members and (202) 225-3481 for Democrat members.

>> Click here for Committee members to ask for when you call. pdf

NOTE: It is particularly important to contact Committee members if they are your U.S. Representative.

>> Find the direct phone numbers of Committee members and your own U.S. Representative here.

WHAT TO SAY

1. Tell Committee members to vote NO on the agriculture budget bill as is.

2. You are strongly opposed to horse slaughter and the marketing of American horse meat.

3. Urge Committee members to re-insert the language denying federal funding for USDA inspections of horse slaughtering operations under the Federal Meat Inspection Act required for the marketing of horse meat for human consumption BEFORE voting YES on the Agriculture Appropriations Act.

HEARING COVERAGE

Audio and video coverage of the hearing can be accessed here. Audio coverage can be accessed here.

HORSE ON THE HILL

Thanks to the generosity of advocates against horse slaughter, the Int’l Fund for Horses have lobbyists right now working to see that this USDA defunding language is re-inserted in the Agriculture budget bill and does not pass without it. Support these hard working voices for horses in Washington, not only with your phone calls and faxes, but also with a donation today.

ALERT OTHERS

Please share this on social networks, and with your family, friends, colleagues and horse lovers by using the buttons below. Thank you.