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Restore Humane and Regulated Horse Processing in the U.S.

Misguided initiatives cause suffering of horses, and devastation of equine economy

WHEREAS, pending legislation would criminalize the processing of horses for food and provide for a three year prison term and a fine for anyone selling or providing transport for horses sold for food;



WHEREAS it has been documented that a ban on horse meat leads to an increase in the abandonment and neglect of unwanted horses.



WHEREAS prices for all horses have dropped due to increased numbers of unwanted horses that people can no longer afford to maintain.



WHEREAS being able to market otherwise unmarketable surplus horses for

meat benefits the farm and ranch economy as well as the tribal economy.



WHEREAS the existence of a market for horse meat increases the value of riding and pleasure horses by decreasing the surplus number of horses.



WHEREAS excess feral horses on federal, state, tribal and private lands are far in excess of the carrying capacity of the land, which in turn impacts other resources including forage for wildlife and livestock, cover for wildlife, native cultural food plants and medicines and the fishery resource.



WHEREAS a market for horse meat for human, pet, and zoo carnivore food provides local and regional jurisdictions a cost effective and humane method of dealing with abandoned and feral horses without undue taxpayer expense;



WHEREAS a horse meat market and humane processing options underpin the entire equine economy, provide a viable market for lower end horses, as well as supporting the value of all horses;



THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the members and supporters of the United Organizations of the Horse, strongly urge our Congressional delegations to oppose passage of any law that criminalizes the use of horses for food or for export.



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we strongly urge Congress to remove any and all impediments to the transportation, marketing, processing, exporting of horses; and to work diligently to restore USDA/FSIS regulated and inspected humane processing facilities for horses in the United States.