AR-News: FW: Federal Horse Slaughter Bill Urgently Needs Your Support!

[jim robertson]

>Federal Horse Slaughter Bill Urgently Needs Your Support!
>
>NAVS Supporters,
>
>The federal bill that would ban the slaughter of horses for
>human consumption is in danger of being defeated without even a
>vote. This bill, H.R. 857, was assigned to the U.S. House
>Committee on Agriculture, which must review and decide whether
>to recommend passage of this bill to the entire House, or to
>"kill" the bill while still in committee.
>
>Despite the sponsorship of more than 220 Representatives, the
>Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Bob Goodlatte
>(R-VA), is refusing to call for a vote on this bill. In
>addition, he is pressuring current sponsors to withdraw their
>support, citing overwhelming support by lobbying groups from the
>meat industry, agricultural interests, and organizations
>supporting horse use who benefit from having a market to sell
>their unwanted horses.
>
>Don't let economic special interest groups stop this bill from
>being heard.
>
>Please call your U.S. Representative TODAY. Ask that they
>support - and continue to support - a ban on killing horses for
>food in this country. It is a cruel and callous practice that
>perpetuates unrestricted breeding because money can be made off
>of "surplus" animals, especially those by-products of the
>hormone replacement industry from pregnant mares used in the
>manufacturing of Premarin and Prempro.
>
>When you write or call, you can include one or more of these
>points:
>
>* Smarty Jones was the focus of national adoration two weeks ago
>in his bid for the triple crown of horse racing. An earlier
>triple-crown contender, Ferdinand, was recently slaughtered in
>Japan for pet food.
>
>* Since the early 1970s, it is estimated that as many as 6
>million American horses have been slaughtered in the U.S. and
>Canada.
>
>* Horses are legally defined as "companion animals" in many
>states.
>
>* Most horses are bought at auction for the slaughterhouse and
>the source of the animals - and their history - is obscured for
>purposes of health evaluations; they are given drugs unsuitable
>for human consumption, including deworming medication and
>hormones in large quantities.
>
>* According to state and national polls (as reported by Equine
>Advocates), between 81 and 93 percent of Americans oppose the
>slaughter of horses for food.
>
>* The horses used to produce hormone replacement drugs for
>millions of women each year produce unwanted foals as a
>"byproduct" that must be disposed of to protect profits.
>
>Horses play an integral role in America's heritage and culture.
>Two weeks ago, the country was riveted to President Reagan's
>funeral. The riderless horse was a poignant symbol of his
>passing. Sgt. York, the 13-year old black horse, is an
>ex-racehorse from New Jersey. What will be his final fate?
>
>Please let your voice be heard on where American horses will
>finally rest.
>
>To see this bill, go to www.animallaw.com and select Search Laws
>and Legislation, select the search legislation check box, under
>jurisdiction, select Federal (US), and type "horse slaughter" in
>the keyword field.
>
>Your letters and phone calls can make a difference! To find your
>federal representative, go to: www.house.gov/writerep/. If you
>would like to call instead, identify your representative, then
>visit your representative's website at
>http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.html for phone and fax
>information.
>
>
>Visit www.navs.org to learn how you can help make a difference.
>