When H.B. 2476 and S.B. 1742, bills that would have repealed the state’s 58-year ban on horse slaughter for human consumption, failed to pass last week, one Texas legislator took matters into his own hands. Without any debate, Senator Glenn Hegar inserted an amendment into S.B. 911—a bill regarding the duties and regulations of the Texas Animal Health Commission—that will sidestep the law that currently makes this form of horse slaughter illegal. Unfortunately, the Senate approved the bill, and it is now in the House.
A 2003 poll showed that 72 percent of Texas voters oppose horse slaughter for human consumption, and 77 percent would vote against any member of the legislature who supported a repeal of the existing horse slaughter ban. “Texas has a good, strong law against slaughter that reflects the attitudes of its citizens,” says Ed Sayres, ASPCA President & CEO. “We must not let a measure unacceptable to the majority of Texans become legalized and legitimized in this covert manner.”
Even if the amended S.B. 911 fails to pass, proponents of horse slaughter will continue their attempts to alter unrelated bills in order to legalize it. The ASPCA, as well as other animal protection groups, veterinarians and horse industry organizations and leaders, are calling for both chambers of the Texas legislature to reject any amendment to any bill that will overturn the ban on horse slaughter for human consumption. If you live in Texas and would like to help, please visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center.
HB 2476/SB 1742—Repealing Ban of Horse Slaughter for Human Consumption
Sponsor(s): Rep. Sid Miller, Senator Chris Harris
ASPCA Position: Oppose
Action: Email the provided letter to your state legislators, asking them to be aware of and oppose the horse slaughter industry’s agenda.
Update, 5/16/07: Fortunately, the bills featured on this page, HB 2476/SB 1742, did not succeed. The bad news is that proponents of horse slaughter now realize that they cannot legalize it in Texas through normal legislative channels, so they have reverted to a backup strategy: attempting to amend other legitimate legislation as it works its way through the legislative process.
During a late-night Senate vote, S.B. 911 (a bill on the duties and regulations of the Texas Animal Health Commission) was quietly amended, without debate, to legalize horse slaughter for human consumption in Texas. The bill passed the Senate, and now awaits a full House vote.
Even if this backhanded tactic fails, proponents of horse slaughter will continue to amend unrelated legislation in an effort to legalize what 72 percent of Texans oppose.
Please take action by sending the letter below to the Senate, lieutenant governor, and your representative today! Tell them to look out for and oppose any amendment to any bill that would overturn Texas’s 58-year ban on horse slaughter for human consumption.
If you would like to also send a letter through the mail, the mailing address for all senators in Austin is:
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, Texas 78711-2066
2 comments:
This really disgusting. These wonderful animals have served humans for hundreds of years. I believe horse meat is consumed more overseas than the United States. Sounds like the ugly head of greed has risen again, putting money in pockets of those who have no regard for such beautiful living creatures.
I agree it is disscusting!!!!!! And it is always about MONEY!!!!! I hope the Lord has a hand in this and helps his creatures out, I can only pray about it.
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