“The Unwanted Horse Issue:" Part #1

[OldDog/NewTricks]

Attached is the revised program for "The Unwanted Horse Issue: What Now?" forum, which is intended to provide a variety of viewpoints on how we can fulfill our individual and collective responsibilities to horses. Most speakers represent a neutral position on the contentious issues related to horse welfare, while some are more polar in their beliefs.

If you are interested in having your organization's views on the various horse welfare issues provided as part of the proceedings (on-site, and revised for distribution after the meeting), please send your web site address to Camie Heleski and Karen Waite (see their addresses, below). Camie and Karen will edit the proceedings. They will create an appendix which will contain a list of web sites where the reader can go for more information on horse welfare issues.
The deadline for submitting your information is May 21.

The following information was prepared by the American Horse Council to clarify the goals of this meeting.

Thank you for your comments regarding the upcoming forum entitled "The Unwanted Horse Issue: What Now?" which is being held on Wednesday, June 18th in Washington, DC. The forum is being cosponsored by USDA and the AHC.

The focus of this informational forum is the "unwanted horse" and not slaughter. The intention of the forum is to bring people together to seek a greater understanding of the current issues surrounding unwanted horses. It is not intended to be a debate on either slaughter or on the federal ban of slaughter in the U.S. There have been many other forums for that debate.

The purpose of this forum is to try to identify the circumstances surrounding "unwanted horses," whether there are such horses, and if there are, how many there are, the causes of their being unwanted, and the possible solutions and options to help them. We hope it will be an opportunity to collectively identify the current situation regarding the well-being of these horses and to discuss alternatives to deal with them before they slip into the "unwanted" category.

In developing the agenda, the organizers focused on getting a balanced set of speakers with varied views and expertise. We have speakers from Congress and USDA, from various equine industry groups, welfare groups, equine rescue centers, and more.

We hope that this forum will be an opportunity for anyone concerned about the unwanted horse issue to come together, share information, and discuss solutions to benefit the well-being of these horses.

Camie Heleski, Proceedings Co-Editor
Department of Animal Science
Michigan State University
2265A Anthony Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1225
T#: 517.355.8427
F#: 517.355.1699
email: [email protected]

Karen Waite, Proceedings Co-Editor
Department of Animal Science
Michigan State University
1287J Anthony Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1225
T#: 517.353.1748
F#: 517.355.1699
email: [email protected]

All Non-Government persons should please register as noted on the publicity document.

Concerns may be directed to Richard Reynnells, see below.

Richard Reynnells, National Program Leader, Animal Production Systems
US Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research,
Education and Extension Service, Plant and Animal Systems
800 9th Street, SW, Room 3140 Waterfront Centre
Washington, DC 20250-2220
T#: 202.401.5352
F#: 202.401.6156
email: [email protected]

 

[OldDog/NewTricks]

The Unwanted Horse Issue: What Now?

Date: June 18, 2008

Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Revised 5/508

Location: Jefferson Auditorium
South Agriculture Building
Corner of 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW Please Enter at Wing 7
Washington, DC

Audience: American Horse Council and other horse organization members; decision makers and others at USDA, the horse industries and allied industries, Congressional Staffers, Open to the Public

Mission: To foster and enhance balanced and enlightened public dialogue on topics related to unwanted horses.

Purpose: To use a balanced set of speakers to identify known information, areas of needed information, and possible solutions in the area of unwanted horses.

Welcome, Jay Hickey, American Horse Council

Historical Perspective, Nat Messer, Unwanted Horse Coalition, and the American Veterinary Medical Assn.

Ethical Perspective, Camie Heleski, Michigan State University

Panel: Unwanted Horse Issues

Carcass Disposal Options, David L. Meeker, National Renderer's Association

Unwanted Horses: Fact or Fiction, Holly Hazard, Humane Society of the United States

Unwanted Horses: Fact or Fiction, Tom Lenz, Unwanted Horse Coalition

Unwanted Horses: Fact or Fiction, Karin Bump, Cazenovia College

Panel: What is the Federal Role in Creating Viable Solutions to the Unwanted Horse Issue?

The Honorable Ed Whitfield, R-KY invited

The Honorable Charles W. Stenholm, Olsson, Frank and Weeda, P. C.

Panel: Transportation Issues: Knowns and Unknowns

Tim Cordes, USDA/APHIS/VS

Jennifer Woods, J. Woods Livestock Services, Alberta, Canada

Panel: Potential Solutions and Options

Lynn Cross, Manager, Little Brook Farm: An Equine Educational Center and Sanctuary

Tom Persechino, American Quarter Horse Association

Al Kane, USDA/APHIS/VS

Wrap Up, Robin Lohnes, American Horse Protection Association

For our NON-GOVERNMENT Friends: To expedite the registration process, please send your name, affiliation, and email address to: Marsha Stephens Hurd, 800 9th St. SW, Room 3150 Waterfront Centre, Washington, DC 20250-2220; T#: 202.401.5352; F#: 202.401.6156; [email protected]; [email protected]. On-site registration is available, but discouraged. 050508

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