ACTION ALERT--USDA Moves to Thwart Federal Law

(ACTION ALERT SENT OUT BY SAPL)

Public Comments Needed to Encourage Democratic Process


February 8, 2006

Dear Humanitarian:

With the help of constituents like you, we convinced Congress to pass an amendment to the 2006 Agriculture Appropriations Bill that prohibits your tax dollars from being used to fund the federally mandated inspection of horses slaughtered for human consumption-thereby protecting America's horses from slaughter. The measure was overwhelmingly approved in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and it was made official on Nov. 10, 2005 when the President signed the bill into law.

However, the horse slaughter industry refuses to give up-and the ban on horse slaughter is at risk as a result. They have found an ally in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) who is willing to manipulate a very clear federal law to allow the foreign-owned slaughterhouses to continue operating.

The USDA has issued regulations approving a petition submitted surreptitiously by the three foreign-owned horse slaughterhouses in the United States that would enable the horse slaughter industry to fund its own inspections. This crooked plot will allow the slaughter of tens of thousands of horses for human consumption in 2006-circumventing Congressional intent and flying in the face of the will of the American people.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Please send comments via mail, email or the USDA website before March 9, urging the USDA to withdraw the regulations that would allow the horse slaughterhouses to keep operating. It is very important that the agency hears from as many concerned Americans as possible.

Here are some issues you should include in your letter:

1. The USDA should not be considering any proposal that will allow the slaughterhouses to continue operating. Such an action is a clear violation of Congressional intent and federal law.

2. President Bush signed into law the 2006 Agriculture Appropriations bill, which Congress amended to prohibit horse slaughter by removing funds required to inspect horses intended for slaughter. This was NOT simply a way to alter how inspections are funded.

Docket Clerk
Docket Number 05-036IF
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Food Safety and Inspection Service
300 12th Street, SW
Room 102 Cotton Annex
Washington, DC 20250

E-mail: fsis.regulationscomments@fsis.usda.gov


Online: Go to http://www.regulations.gov, and in the "Search for Open Regulations" box, select "Food Safety and Inspection Service" from the agency drop-down menu, then click on "Submit." In the Docket ID column, select the FDMS Docket Number (05-036IF) to submit public comments.

Additionally, please write your Members of Congress to urge their support of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, H.R. 503 and S.1915, if you have not already done so. A permanent ban on horse slaughter is the only way we can ensure that America's horses will truly be safe. Click here to find out more about this and how you can take action: http://www.saplonline.org/horses.htm.

Please share our "Dear Humanitarian" eAlert with family, friends and co-workers, and encourage them to submit comments and write their Members of Congress, too. As always, thank you very much for your help!

Sincerely,

Christopher J. Heyde
Deputy Legislative Director
Society for Animal Protective Legislation
(A Division of the Animal Welfare Institute)
PO Box 3719 ~ Washington, DC 20027
T: (703) 836-4300 F: (703) 997-1134
www.saplonline.org

Sign up for SAPL eAlerts to receive the latest legislative news on what you can do to help us protect all animals.
http://www.saplonline.org/action.htm