[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4432-S4434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ENSIGN (for himself, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. 
        Inouye, and Ms. Collins):
  S. 2352. A bill to prevent the slaughter of horses in and from the 
United States for human consumption by prohibiting the slaughter of 
horses for human consumption and by prohibiting the trade and transport 
of horselflesh and live horses intended for human consumption, and for 
other purposes;

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to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I rise along with my colleagues, Senators 
landrieu, Lieberman, Inouye and Collins, in order to introduce S. 2352, 
the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.
  As a veterinarian, I am well aware of the love that Americans have 
for their horses. Much of our Nation's early history and culture is 
associated with these animals. We think of George Washington's horses 
and the legend of Paul Revere's ride and the Pony Express. And more 
recently, we were reminded of how the Depression Era race between 
Seabiscuit and War Admiral raised the spirit of our Nation.
  While horses in the United States are not raised for food, last year 
alone, almost 50,000 horses were slaughtered in the United States for 
human consumption abroad. Pet horses, ex-racing horses, workhorses and 
even some federally protected wild horses are currently being 
slaughtered for human consumption in Europe and Asia. A series of 
recent polls show that Americans overwhelmingly support a ban on the 
slaughter of horses for human consumption.
  Often, owners who sell their horses at auction are unaware that their 
horses may well be on their way to one of the two remaining 
slaughterhouses in America where horses are killed for human 
consumption. These slaughterhouses are foreign owned and the product is 
shipped abroad as are the profits.
  States have tried to be proactive in preventing this form of 
slaughter in the United States. Several States have already enacted 
state laws prohibiting the slaughter of horses for human consumption. 
Several other States are currently considering similar legislation. 
However, due to the absence of a Federal law on this subject, the two 
existing foreign-owned slaughterhouses, which happen to be located in 
Texas--a State that has passed a law banning horse slaughter for human 
consumption--have still been able to operate.
  I know that some people have expressed concern about what will happen 
to horses if slaughter is banned. Many of these horses will be sold to 
a new owner, others may be kept longer, and still others will be 
humanely euthanized by a licensed veterinarian. Others will be cared 
for by the horse rescue community. The American Horse Slaughter 
Prevention Act does allow fines collected under the Act to be 
distributed to qualified horse rescue groups caring for horses 
confiscated under the Act.
  Some people have questioned whether this law will result in the abuse 
and neglect of unwanted horses. Thankfully, statistics do not support 
this claim at all. Recently released figures show that the number of 
abuse cases dropped significantly in Illinois after the State's only 
horse slaughtering facility was destroyed in a fire in 2002. Also, 
since California passed a law banning the slaughter of horses for human 
consumption, there has been no discernible increase in cruelty and 
neglect cases in the State.
  Futhermore, it is currently illegal to ``turn out,'' neglect, or 
starve a horse, so this bill will not result in an increase in the 
number of orphaned horses in the United States. If a person attempts to 
turn his or her horses out, under current law, animal control agents 
will be able to enforce Federal humane laws. As I stated before, this 
bill seeks only to prohibit the slaughter of horses for human 
consumption. If a person wishes to put an animal down, it costs an 
average of $50 to $150 to have the horse humanely euthanized and 
disposed of--a fraction of what it costs to keep a horse as a companion 
or a work animal. That cost is not too big a burden to bear when no 
other options are available.
  The time for a strong Federal law banning this practice is now. This 
bill does not target other forms of slaughter, rendering, or euthanasia 
but rather focuses solely on the slaughter of American horses for human 
consumption. The House version of this bill, H.R. 857, currently has 
two hundred cosponsors. Please join Senator Landrieu and me in 
cosponsoring the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.
  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, today I join my colleagues in 
introducing the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. This bill will 
prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption, a practice 
which many Americans oppose and of which many more are completely 
unaware. As a life-long admirer of these beautiful and noble animals, I 
was shocked to learn that tens of thousands of horses are slaughtered 
and exported each year for human consumption in other countries. Aside 
from the fact that there is virtually no demand for the human 
consumption of horse flesh in this country, the absence of humane 
treatment of these horses is very disappointing. We must ensure that 
this beloved animal is treated in an appropriate manner and that this 
deplorable act, which many Americans find unconscionable, is prohibited 
under Federal law. Therefore, I am proud to join my colleagues as a 
cosponsor of this legislation. I would like to take this opportunity to 
highlight a few issues about this important measure.
  The need for the humane euthanasia of horses is a sad reality for all 
horse owners. Each horse's life has inherent value and it is usually 
with great sadness and care that horse owners face the realities of 
infirmity, age, or other reasons which call for the putting down of 
their animal. However, the current practice of horse slaughter is void 
of the human compassion involved with appropriate euthanasia. The 
export of horses for slaughter and the slaughter of horses in the 
United States by unskilled and careless workers increase the suffering 
of these animals. These slaughter houses appear uninterested in the 
welfare of these animals, and take little note of the objections of the 
millions of Americans who find the consumption of horse flesh to be 
inappropriate.
  Throughout the development of this country, the human consumption of 
horse flesh has never been a widely accepted activity. This societal 
taboo is undoubtably due to the unique relationship enjoyed between 
mankind and horses for thousands of years. Horses have tread many steps 
with American men and women. They were there in our work, on our farms, 
for transportation and communication, in the taming of a vast American 
frontier, and on every battlefield prior to World War II. They have 
proven themselves loyal and gentle animals, without which the 
development of our country may not have been possible and certainly 
much more difficult. Horses demand the basic humane treatment that we 
should extend to all of God's creatures, and above that--our society 
has developed a heightened sense of respect and love for these 
indispensable animals. In modern times, horses have brought joy and 
entertainment to many. Through racing, recreation and even therapy to 
the handicapped, horses have touched the lives of many Americans. 
Clearly, they hold a special place in our lives and it is for these 
reasons that so many are strongly opposed to the slaughter of horses in 
this country for human consumption.
  I am very encouraged by the leadership and hard work of Senator 
Ensign, who is himself a veterinarian. His expertise in this issue has 
brought many groups together in support of this legislation, and has 
facilitated understanding of the bill's provisions. Having garnered 
broad support in the House of Representatives, I am firmly committed to 
seeing that this bill is brought to the attention of all of our 
colleagues here in the Senate. I look forward to working with Senator 
ENSIGN and other colleagues, to ensure that we address these important 
issues and pass a common sense bill that reflects the desires of many 
of our constituents, who support the humane treatment of horses and the 
prohibition of their slaughter for human consumption.

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