Support the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act to Protect Horses from Slaughter in the United States

On Wednesday, January 29th, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Health of the Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing. The Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE), which would ban horse slaughter in the U.S. and end the export of American horses for slaughter in other countries, was on the agenda. The SAFE Act was introduced in 2019 by representatives Jan Schakowsky and Vern Buchanan, and it has 225 House cosponsors.

When horses are shipped for slaughter, they spend 24 hours at a time without food, water, or rest in crowded trucks. Then they’re forced to suffer through repeated blows and are sometimes left conscious during dismemberment, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

As representative Schakowsky told One Green Planet: “I am grateful to Chairwoman Eshoo for including the SAFE Act in today’s hearing. The SAFE Act is vital for the health of consumers and wellbeing of horses. Horses are ingrained in our national story and deserve far better than being exported in inhumane conditions for slaughter. Many of the substances used to treat horses are banned by the FDA, making horsemeat dangerous for human consumption. As a lifelong advocate for consumer protection and animal welfare, I welcome the focus on this legislation.”

During the hearing, testimony was heard by Nancy Perry, senior vice president of Government Relations for the ASPCA who reminded the subcommittee that horse meat is dangerous for human consumption and their slaughter threatens public health.

President of Animal Welfare Institute, Cathy Liss also made sure to mention the animal cruelty involved saying: “The Animal Welfare Institute has long worked to expose the rampant cruelty and dishonesty inherent in this industry—from the kill-buyers who mislead horse owners in order to obtain animals, to the brutality inside the slaughterhouse. In addition to the terrible abuse that goes hand in hand with horse slaughter, the food safety threats that plague the industry as a result of the drugs administered to horses cannot be ignored.”

This horrific practice causes so much suffering. On route to slaughter, many horses are already severely injured or killed, but at the slaughterhouse there is only more trauma to endure. They are driven into a “kill box” where they’re shot in the head with a captive bolt gun. It isn’t always accurate so then they are stuck with multiple blows or still unconscious during the butchering that follows.

That’s why the SAFE Act needs to be passed. Sign this petition if you agree!

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