[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 12, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H8153-H8155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
URGING ALL NATIONS TO OUTLAW THE DOG AND CAT MEAT TRADE
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 401) urging China, South Korea,
Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, India,
and all nations to outlaw the dog and cat meat trade and to enforce
existing laws against the trade, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 401
Whereas the consumption of dog meat has occurred in every
corner of the world including in Asia;
Whereas established dog meat markets still exist in Asia;
Whereas the Humane Society International, Animals Asia
Foundation, and others estimate that 30,000,000 dogs and
10,000,000 cats die annually across Asia for the trade in dog
and cat meat;
Whereas it is estimated as many as 200,000 live dogs are
trafficked each year from Thailand across the Mekong River to
Vietnam, where dog meat is considered a delicacy;
Whereas cat meat, known locally as ``little tiger'', is
also a delicacy in Vietnam and, although officially banned,
is widely available in specialty restaurants;
Whereas due to a traditional belief that high adrenaline
levels produce tender meat and increase supposed health
benefits, dogs killed for their meat may be first
intentionally subjected to extreme fear and suffering through
hanging or bludgeoning;
Whereas there appears to be little scientific evidence to
support traditional claims of the health benefits of
consuming dog meat;
Whereas there have been reports of abuse, poor living
conditions, and cruel slaughtering techniques with respect to
dogs and cats farmed for their meat;
Whereas many dogs and cats die during transport to
slaughterhouses, after days or weeks crammed into small cages
on the back of vehicles without food or water, and others
suffer from illness or injury during such transport;
Whereas in February 2015, Vietnamese authorities impounded
a truck in Hanoi smuggling three tons of live cats from China
that were intended for the illegal cat meat trade, but then
buried thousands of the seized cats--many, reportedly, while
alive--claiming a desire to avoid the spread of disease;
Whereas the extreme suffering of dogs and cats at such
slaughterhouses and on such transportation trucks would
breach anti-cruelty laws in the United States, such as the
Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) and the Humane
Methods of Slaughter Act (7 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.);
Whereas many government officials, civil society advocates,
and activists are working to end the dog and cat meat trade
on anti-cruelty and public health grounds, and the
governments of Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong have passed
laws banning the slaughter of dogs for meat consumption;
Whereas Chinese activists have claimed that stolen pets are
sometimes used in the dog meat market in China;
Whereas Chinese dog transporters reportedly routinely flout
regulations such as the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture
Veterinary Bureau Circular No. 16 (2013), which requires dogs
to be quarantined and issued a quarantine certificate before
being transported across provincial boundaries;
Whereas the World Health Organization has linked the dog
meat industry to human outbreaks of trichinellosis, cholera,
and rabies, although consumption of dog meat alone has not
been confirmed to spread rabies to humans;
Whereas those involved in the dog meat industry are at an
increased health risk for zoonotic diseases, which can
transfer from dogs to humans through infectious material such
as saliva;
Whereas the spread of such diseases may be exacerbated by
unsanitary conditions of slaughter and by the sale of dog
meat at open-air markets and restaurants; and
Whereas Betsy Miranda, Asia Coordinator for the Global
Alliance for Rabies Control, said in June 2013 that the
spread of disease through the dog meat trade was ``rampant''
across Southeast Asia, and that ``The risk that the animals
are in poor health and not vaccinated is very high. If they
move across borders they risk carrying the disease across
large distances'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) calls for an end to the dog and cat meat trade on
cruelty and public health grounds;
(2) urges all nations to outlaw the dog and cat meat trade
and enforce existing laws against such trade; and
(3) affirms the commitment of the United States to the
protection of animals and to advancing the progress of animal
protection around the world.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and to include any extraneous material in the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Hastings for authoring this
important measure on the dog and cat meat trade. It is an important
issue to animal
[[Page H8154]]
lovers around this globe, and this resolution has garnered tremendous
bipartisan support. He has over 100 cosponsors in this Congress for it.
Protecting the world's animals, whether we are talking about dogs and
cats or rhinoceros and elephant, it is not a partisan issue; and I am
proud to have authored a number of critical pieces of legislation to
advance this cause, including the END Wildlife Trafficking Act of 2016.
Mr. Speaker, in recent years, we have made some important progress
toward stopping the consumption of dog meat around the world. But,
sadly, dog meat markets still exist in Asia.
In fact, it is estimated that 30 million dogs and 10 million cats die
annually across Asia as a result of the dog and cat meat trade, and
they often live under horrendous conditions.
And this practice--I would make one other point--it also raises
serious public health concerns. The World Health Organization has
linked the dog meat industry to human outbreaks of multiple serious
diseases, including cholera, and including rabies. The spread of
disease is made worse by all aspects of the trade, from the unsanitary
conditions of slaughter, and the sale of dog meat in open-air markets
and restaurants, and from that, to the trafficking of these animals
across international borders.
This important resolution urges all nations to abolish the dog and
cat meat trade, to enforce existing laws against such trade, and to
affirm the U.S. commitment to protecting animals, both here at home and
around the world.
I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this measure.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I too rise in support of this measure.
Let me, first of all, thank my friend from Florida, Mr. Hastings, for
his work on this resolution, and thank Chairman Royce for moving it
forward.
This is one of those issues that certainly stirs the emotions of
anyone who learns about it. The horrible abuse of dogs and cats crammed
into cages, driven across borders, slaughtered and sold in meat
markets, it just seems so cruel and needless.
The animal rights community has come together around this issue,
pleading for an end to these inhumane practices, particularly in the
markets in Asia where this takes place the most.
There are broader concerns as well. The trade of dog and cat meat is
associated with health risks, including the spread of disease. And an
illegal market for this meat has sprung up in places where governments
have failed to step in and enforce their own laws against these
practices.
So I think it is important that the House go on record saying we
oppose this practice. I am glad to support this measure, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the esteemed gentleman
from Florida (Mr. Hastings).
Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding,
and I thank my good friend, the chairman of this committee, for
bringing this forward.
I rise in support of this measure, urging all nations to outlaw the
inhumane dog and cat meat trade, and to enforce existing laws against
this barbaric practice.
In June of 2017, I introduced this measure with my distinguished
colleague and cochairman of the Florida delegation, Congressman Vern
Buchanan.
It is estimated that tens of millions of dogs and cats are killed for
human consumption annually across the globe. This display of animal
cruelty is not only inhumane, but also a threat to public health for
citizens and international visitors.
This resolution affirms the United States' commitment to the
protection of animals, and advances the animal protection movement
rapidly growing worldwide.
These innocent animals, often personal pets, are forcibly taken,
shoved into cages with broken bones, then shipped long distances,
without food or water, to meat markets, where they are regularly
bludgeoned, mutilated, boiled, or skinned while still alive.
When I was a child, I had three big dogs, True Boy, August, and
Tuesday. And in their memory, I am sure that they would be equally
proud that their owner was standing up for descendants of theirs and
others.
By passing H. Res. 401, Congress can bring the world one step closer
to hopefully ending this cruel practice once and for all.
Mr. Speaker, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank the
thousands of activists across the country and around the globe for
their tireless efforts. They have never wavered in their commitment in
the fight against the global dog and cat meat trade.
It is my sincere hope that we expeditiously pass this measure. By
doing so, we will send a strong message, that no matter where you live,
animal cruelty is simply wrong.
A special thanks to Lisa Vanderpump, and Ken Todd, and Dr. John
Sessa, all of them being my friends, and certainly, Marc Ching, who has
personally witnessed many of these things in Yulin and elsewhere, that
brought my attention to this measure.
Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this resolution.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time to close.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Nevada (Ms. Titus), a cosponsor of this bill, and a valuable member of
the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman, and also to my friend
from Florida who sponsored this legislation.
I too rise in support of H. Res. 401. It is a resolution urging
countries around the world to outlaw the dog and cat meat trade, and to
recommit to enforcing existing laws against this horrible practice.
As you have heard, approximately 30 million dogs and tens of millions
of cats are killed annually for human consumption; and many suffer from
abuse and cruelty during their lifetime, facing painful deaths at the
hands of these horrible meat dealers. We cannot afford to turn a blind
eye to the extreme torment that they have to endure.
In the United States, we cherish dogs and cats, recognizing their
many contributions as service and therapy animals, search and rescue
assistants, and police dogs that aid with drug and bomb searches.
{time} 1815
They provide airport security, are companions to our veterans, and
are cherished family pets.
As a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, I am a
proud cosponsor of this legislation, which enjoyed the support of 150
bipartisan cosponsors and passed the committee by a voice vote. I have
worked hard in Congress to end the dog and cat meat trade, eliminate
the use of dog leather, and protect our furry and feathered friends
from undue harm and abuse.
Hundreds of constituents have written us about this issue, and they
want the United States to speak up and set an example. Mr. Speaker, I
believe this resolution does just that. I thank those who are
responsible for bringing it, those who have lent their voice in support
of it, and I look forward to seeing it pass today.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, let me say in closing, I am, again, grateful
to Mr. Hastings and to all the people who have helped elevate this
issue. Actually, I have gotten many calls from people who are very,
very concerned about this bill and who want to see it passed.
I have been a dog lover all my life, had the wonderful time to have
dogs, and to me, it is just unfathomable that they are suffering like
this in the trade to eat dogs and cats. It is really just something
that is awful.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this measure. It is a bipartisan
bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Hastings
again for this legislation and for championing his support for the
protection of dogs and cats around the world.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Duncan of South Carolina). The question
is on the motion offered by the
[[Page H8155]]
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 401, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``Resolution
urging all nations to outlaw the dog and cat meat trade and to enforce
existing laws against such trade.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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