MEASURE WOULD BAN THE SLAUGHTER OF HORSES FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

Washington, Jul 24, 2006 - "My hometown is horse country, and we have a strong love for these wonderful animals.  However, more than 90,000 horses were slaughtered in 2005 for human consumption, most of it for export," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Chairman of the Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee.  "Most of these horses are raised for other purposes, predominantly for riding, but are no longer wanted by their owners.  H.R. 503, the Horse Protection Act, would prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of any horse on other equine to be slaughtered for human consumption."

"Through this hearing we will examine if horse slaughter is inhumane, if this ban would benefit overall equine welfare, what would happen with unwanted horses, and are there any likely unintended consequences from this federal ban," added Stearns.  The hearing on the Horse Protection Act will be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. in room 2322 RHOB.

Although the witness list is not yet final, the following are expected to testify:
Rep. John Sweeney (R-NY), author of H.R. 503;
Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture;
Mr. T. Boone Pickens, CEO, BP Capital;
Dr. Bonnie V. Beaver, Executive Director, American College of Veterinary Bahaviorists, Texas A&M University;
Dr. Patricia Hogan, VMD, ACVS, New Jersey Equine Clinic;
Dr. Douglas G. Corey, DVM, President-Elect of the American Association of Equine Practitioners;
Mr. Russell Williams, Vice Chairman, the American Horse Council and Vice President of Hanover Shoe Farms; and
Mr. Dick, Koehler, Vice President, Beltex Corp.