The law banning horse slaughter was enacted on June 23 through a U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on the Energy and Commerce Committee, according to various animal rights groups. This progress brings it closer to action in the US House of Representatives and Senate.
The anti-slaughter bill, known as the SAFETY Act, would permanently ban the transport of slaughtered horses. Horse slaughterhouses in the US have been closed since 2007, but loopholes have allowed horses to be exported to abattoirs abroad.
Efforts to pass similar anti-slaughter legislation have failed to pass both houses of Congress in recent years.
The Act is supported by many animal rights groups and racing organizations such as the Jockey Club, The Stronach Group, Breeders’ Cup, Purebred Breeders and Owners Association, Jockeys Association, New Racing Association York, and Del Mar.
According to the Humane Society, the SAFE Act currently has 218 funders in the legislature and received support on Thursday in the House Occupy Committee, which could also prove decisive in relation to to the slaughter of horses. The bill would permanently repeal inspections of domestic horse slaughterhouses, which would prevent them from ever reopening on US soil.
Also making progress on Thursday is the Stop All Soring Tactic, known as the PAST Act, which will prevent the unethical practice of foot-soaking in standing horses in the show ring.
