Res. No. 1199
Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to pass and the President to sign H.R.2966/S.1176, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011.
By Council Members Vallone, Jr., Brewer, Gentile, Mendez, Nelson, Vacca and Gonzalez
Whereas, In 2006, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriation bill (the "Appropriations bill"), amongst its provisions, imposed restrictions that prevented the United States Department of Agriculture from using federal funds to inspect any meat processing plant that slaughtered horses; and
Whereas, In addition, the Appropriations bill banned those uninspected plants from shipping meat across state lines; and
Whereas, On November 18, 2011, President Barack Obama signed an agricultural spending bill which lifted the ban on federal funding for the inspection of meat processing plants that slaughter horses; and
Whereas, Although there is no market for consumption of horse meat in the United States, it is seen as a delicacy overseas, specifically in Europe and Asia; and
Whereas, Advocates are concerned that lifting the ban would allow slaughterhouses in the United States to begin processing horses for sale abroad; and
Whereas, However, even when the ban was in effect, horses were being transported across state lines and shipped to other countries such as Canada and Mexico, where they would be processed; and
Whereas, According to the United States Governmental Accountability Office, approximately 138,000 horses were sent to these countries in 2010; and
Whereas, Slaughterhouses designated for horses could open in as little as 30 to 90 days in the United States with state approval; and
Whereas, As a result of these recent changes, pro-slaughter activists estimate that around 200,000 horses would be slaughtered within the country annually; and
Whereas, The slaughtering of horses is viewed as a humane form of euthanizing the animals by pro-slaughter advocates, but unfortunately, the horses are subjected to overcrowded transport in which they are trampled, starved, and sometimes die before they even reach the slaughterhouse; and
Whereas, The United States Department of Agriculture has documented that 92 percent of the horses that are slaughtered annually are neither old nor unfit; and
Whereas, Slaughtering is not the only option, as these horses can be sold, donated, or sent to sanctuaries; and
Whereas, On September 19, 2011, United States Representative Dan Burton (R-IN) and Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) introduced the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011; and
Whereas, The purpose of this legislation is to prevent the slaughter of horses for human consumption; and
Whereas, To accomplish this goal, the legislation would prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donating of horses and other equines; and
Whereas, The bill indicates that horses are domestic animals that are used primarily for recreation, pleasure and sport; and
Whereas, Under this legislation, the Secretary of Agriculture would have the authority to detain for examination or test, or take evidence of any horse or equine which the Secretary believes is being shipped, transported, or moved in violation of the law; and
Whereas, Further, horses and other equines play a vital role in the collective experience of the United States and deserve protection and compassion; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Congress to pass and the President to sign H.R.2966/S.1176, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011.
LS #3100
JM/GP
12/21/11