This is an old article from last fall. The legislation mentioned in it died in the last session of Congress without any action. But the article has some interesting info about the process of getting killing horses through Texas and into Mexico now.
===========================================
New House Bill Looks To Halt
Export Of Horses For Slaughter
By John Bradshaw
MORTON — Horse export to Mexico and Canada has increased since horse slaughter for human consumption in the United States was shut down by state laws last year. This year more than 38,000 horses destined for slaughter have been shipped to Mexico.
A new House bill proposes to shut down this last remaining option for otherwise unmarketable horses. HR 6598, dubbed the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008, intends to prohibit the knowing possession, shipping, transportation, purchasing, selling, delivering or receiving a horse for slaughter for human consumption. Violators would risk felony charges.
Many do not agree with the overall intent of the bill, and others criticize the possibility of legal action against a horse owner who sells a horse for slaughter.
Mary Brown, manager of BelTex Corporation Feedlot in Morton, oversees the shipment of about 600 head of horses per week to Mexico. She says the law would be difficult to prove in some instances and could be used against ordinary horse owners.
"If you sell a horse in a sale to a guy from Mexico whose full intent is to process that horse, can they come back and get you? I don't see where they can, but that's the way the law is written," Brown says.
The bill, introduced by Michigan Democrat John Conyers and Indiana Republican Dan Burton, is currently in the House Judiciary Committee, where it has been debated a couple of times.
If the bill should pass, it would shut down Brown's operation, something she strongly believes will hurt horse welfare more than help. Since slaughter in the United States was banned and the horse market plummeted, she has seen many more cases of thin and neglected horses come in.
"One thing that we're seeing more of since they shut down the slaughterhouses is that people aren't taking care of these animals. To me, they're being abused. They're not being fed correctly," Brown says. "With hay being $200 to $250 a ton, people can't afford to feed them. The BLM has the same problem. They've run out of pasture and can't adopt very many out."
Brown says she doesn't enjoy sending horses to slaughter and isn't going to eat them herself, but points out that horses are livestock, and humane slaughter is a necessary way to manage those that are unwanted. She understands that many people are attached to their horses and would not send them to slaughter, but she feels strongly that everyone should have the option.
She is not a fan of the animal rights groups that have been pushing all the anti-slaughter legislation, contending that folks who raise and own horses know what is best for them. Those who have never owned or taken care of a horse do not understand the realities.
"Agriculture is being shot at hard, and agriculture is the basis of this country. Without it this country is nothing. The people living in the cities don't even know where their food comes from."
Brown wishes she could educate the public on the issue, and she says the animal rights groups are making money over the whole thing through donations.
"They're not helping with the problem; they're just putting stuff out there for people to think about and taking their donations.
"Those people want total control, and they have the money behind them," she insists.
But Brown says that even though the anti-slaughter crowd has the funds behind them now, they want the government to foot the bill for unwanted horses that once would have gone to slaughter. She says the welfare system is in trouble already, and now these people want to add horse welfare.
She believes that all involved in agriculture must join together to fight for their rights. She does not believe the activists will be content with ending horse slaughter, and that they will move on to beef, pork and chicken.
"The reason they started with horse slaughter is because it is the smallest industry in the United States," she says, "but they won't be content with stopping there."
The animal rights organizations are using the emotions of the public to win them over, but Brown says the public does not understand that they are being misinformed.
She says she would like to put up a billboard in New York City advertising the truth instead of emotional fiction.
"They are telling lies, and they're getting the public involved in the storytelling. If we don't band together we are going to be in really bad shape."
The BelTex feedlot is located at the site of the old Great Western Meat Company horse plant, which processed horses from the mid-1970s until 1993. BelTex bought the place but no horses have been processed there since.
Today they receive and ship an average of about 600 head of horses per week to Mexico, with a few 900-head weeks during the fall. Most of the time approximately 1000 head are in the yard awaiting shipment.
When the horses come into the feedlot they are sorted by age, quality, size, weight, structure and sex. They stay in the yard from 10 to 20 days prior to shipment to Mexico, and Brown points out that they are rested and fed. All horses sent to Mexico must be branded and eartagged.
Horses come in from many states, and they must come with a current Coggins test and health certificate. There are private buyers who ship loads in from as far away as Minnesota and Florida. Brown reiterates that these buyers are not employed by BelTex.
"We just provide a market for them," she says.
Brown must sign a fitness to travel to a slaughter facility form, a VS 10-13, for all loads. This form lists each horse's breed, sex and color, and it certifies that each horse is capable of bearing weight on all four limbs, older than six months, not blind in both eyes, and able to walk unassisted.
Falsification of this form can result in a fine up to $10,000, five years imprisonment or both.
Brown says horses that will not meet those standards are not bought by BelTex to begin with.
Horses hauled into the feedlot are not under slaughter transport rules because they are not destined for slaughter until they pass the scales. They can be enter the yard in pots but must leave on straightdecks, which can haul about 30 head.
Horses are shipped to Presidio and El Paso, and occasionally Eagle Pass. The horses are contracted and ownership ends at the border. Most are shipped another eight hours to Fresnillo, Mexico, though there are several other facilities along the border and beyond.
There is no affiliation between BelTex and the plant in Fresnillo, but Brown says it is operated as humanely as those in the United States were.
"But for the other plants in Mexico, I don't know. I've seen the pictures just like everyone else, but I can't comment on the authenticity of those pictures. I do know that the captive bolt method is the only legal slaughter method for horses in Mexico."
After the U.S. plants shut down, the horse market crashed and many began bringing less than $100. A few horses can be bought for as little as $10-20, and the occasional free horse can be found. Certain low-quality horses will not bring enough to pay for the Coggins test required to run through them through a sale ring.
Brown says cheap horses have not helped their bottom line any because there are so many more expenses now. When they receive horses at Morton they must be tagged and branded before being shipped 370 miles to the border.
"We now have that expense, plus the added feed expense. There are also the brokerage fees. So these horse prices haven't helped us," she says.
Brown says that contrary to popular belief, very few good horses go to slaughter. For years they tried to find a few nice riding horses to use in the yard.
"They're not any good. The guys would try them and get thrown off and hurt, or the horses would be crippled. They are not what people envision them to be."
It has become popular with some to rescue slaughter horses. Brown says this rarely works out because the type of person who sets out to do this is generally not qualified to deal with a horse already deemed undesirable.
Animal rights organizations have become more assertive in their activities, with many hidden cameras and the occasional act of trespassing to shoot footage. Brown says they have not had too much trouble with the harassment, though there have been a few episodes. Two women followed a truck from Ohio to Morton, and then on to El Paso.
These women caused some trouble when they claimed that the same horses were on the truck from Ohio all the way to El Paso, which was not true. The truck unloaded in Morton and loaded a different set of horses bound for El Paso.
"I've had to talk to the state guys and the USDA guys on that. Those women even got some pictures of the yard from the inside. I don't know how they got in here, but they were here. And they put us on YouTube."
If those accusations had been true, BelTex would have been in violation of the law, but Brown says they operate according to the rules, and it is definitely in their best interest to do so. She has obvious compassion for the horses and says she prides herself on giving the best possible care. Besides, she would not risk the fine.
Horse slaughter critics have always talked much of the horses being scared, fearing death and knowing what is about to happen to them at the slaughterhouse. Brown acknowledges that the horses may be nervous about the new surroundings, but she cannot believe that a horse knows where it is and what is about to happen.
"I just don't agree with that. A horse is smart, don't get me wrong, but they don't think like humans."
Those opposed to horse slaughter have long touted euthanasia as the better choice over slaughter. Brown has seen horses euthanized and knows that it isn't always the peaceful end that some may advertise it to be. She has seen horses flip over or thrash when euthanized incorrectly, and she firmly believes that the captive bolt is no worse or even better than a needle.
Brown doesn't know if the proposed law will pass, but she doesn't see how the country can afford to let it. If it does pass, someone will have to step up and start taking care of all the horses that otherwise would not be on the feed bill.
"There is nowhere for them to go. The shelters are all running over the limits, and they are fixing to get in trouble. The government will have to step in, and then the taxpayers are going to pay.
"These people don't know anything about agriculture at all, but they're trying to tell us how to run our lives. It's pretty sad when here in the United States they are telling us what we can and cannot do with something that is ours to begin with," she says.
"I hope this won't pass, but I can't say that it won't, because we've all seen what can happen."
http://www.livestockweekly.com/
===========================================
New House Bill Looks To Halt
Export Of Horses For Slaughter
By John Bradshaw
MORTON — Horse export to Mexico and Canada has increased since horse slaughter for human consumption in the United States was shut down by state laws last year. This year more than 38,000 horses destined for slaughter have been shipped to Mexico.
A new House bill proposes to shut down this last remaining option for otherwise unmarketable horses. HR 6598, dubbed the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008, intends to prohibit the knowing possession, shipping, transportation, purchasing, selling, delivering or receiving a horse for slaughter for human consumption. Violators would risk felony charges.
Many do not agree with the overall intent of the bill, and others criticize the possibility of legal action against a horse owner who sells a horse for slaughter.
Mary Brown, manager of BelTex Corporation Feedlot in Morton, oversees the shipment of about 600 head of horses per week to Mexico. She says the law would be difficult to prove in some instances and could be used against ordinary horse owners.
"If you sell a horse in a sale to a guy from Mexico whose full intent is to process that horse, can they come back and get you? I don't see where they can, but that's the way the law is written," Brown says.
The bill, introduced by Michigan Democrat John Conyers and Indiana Republican Dan Burton, is currently in the House Judiciary Committee, where it has been debated a couple of times.
If the bill should pass, it would shut down Brown's operation, something she strongly believes will hurt horse welfare more than help. Since slaughter in the United States was banned and the horse market plummeted, she has seen many more cases of thin and neglected horses come in.
"One thing that we're seeing more of since they shut down the slaughterhouses is that people aren't taking care of these animals. To me, they're being abused. They're not being fed correctly," Brown says. "With hay being $200 to $250 a ton, people can't afford to feed them. The BLM has the same problem. They've run out of pasture and can't adopt very many out."
Brown says she doesn't enjoy sending horses to slaughter and isn't going to eat them herself, but points out that horses are livestock, and humane slaughter is a necessary way to manage those that are unwanted. She understands that many people are attached to their horses and would not send them to slaughter, but she feels strongly that everyone should have the option.
She is not a fan of the animal rights groups that have been pushing all the anti-slaughter legislation, contending that folks who raise and own horses know what is best for them. Those who have never owned or taken care of a horse do not understand the realities.
"Agriculture is being shot at hard, and agriculture is the basis of this country. Without it this country is nothing. The people living in the cities don't even know where their food comes from."
Brown wishes she could educate the public on the issue, and she says the animal rights groups are making money over the whole thing through donations.
"They're not helping with the problem; they're just putting stuff out there for people to think about and taking their donations.
"Those people want total control, and they have the money behind them," she insists.
But Brown says that even though the anti-slaughter crowd has the funds behind them now, they want the government to foot the bill for unwanted horses that once would have gone to slaughter. She says the welfare system is in trouble already, and now these people want to add horse welfare.
She believes that all involved in agriculture must join together to fight for their rights. She does not believe the activists will be content with ending horse slaughter, and that they will move on to beef, pork and chicken.
"The reason they started with horse slaughter is because it is the smallest industry in the United States," she says, "but they won't be content with stopping there."
The animal rights organizations are using the emotions of the public to win them over, but Brown says the public does not understand that they are being misinformed.
She says she would like to put up a billboard in New York City advertising the truth instead of emotional fiction.
"They are telling lies, and they're getting the public involved in the storytelling. If we don't band together we are going to be in really bad shape."
The BelTex feedlot is located at the site of the old Great Western Meat Company horse plant, which processed horses from the mid-1970s until 1993. BelTex bought the place but no horses have been processed there since.
Today they receive and ship an average of about 600 head of horses per week to Mexico, with a few 900-head weeks during the fall. Most of the time approximately 1000 head are in the yard awaiting shipment.
When the horses come into the feedlot they are sorted by age, quality, size, weight, structure and sex. They stay in the yard from 10 to 20 days prior to shipment to Mexico, and Brown points out that they are rested and fed. All horses sent to Mexico must be branded and eartagged.
Horses come in from many states, and they must come with a current Coggins test and health certificate. There are private buyers who ship loads in from as far away as Minnesota and Florida. Brown reiterates that these buyers are not employed by BelTex.
"We just provide a market for them," she says.
Brown must sign a fitness to travel to a slaughter facility form, a VS 10-13, for all loads. This form lists each horse's breed, sex and color, and it certifies that each horse is capable of bearing weight on all four limbs, older than six months, not blind in both eyes, and able to walk unassisted.
Falsification of this form can result in a fine up to $10,000, five years imprisonment or both.
Brown says horses that will not meet those standards are not bought by BelTex to begin with.
Horses hauled into the feedlot are not under slaughter transport rules because they are not destined for slaughter until they pass the scales. They can be enter the yard in pots but must leave on straightdecks, which can haul about 30 head.
Horses are shipped to Presidio and El Paso, and occasionally Eagle Pass. The horses are contracted and ownership ends at the border. Most are shipped another eight hours to Fresnillo, Mexico, though there are several other facilities along the border and beyond.
There is no affiliation between BelTex and the plant in Fresnillo, but Brown says it is operated as humanely as those in the United States were.
"But for the other plants in Mexico, I don't know. I've seen the pictures just like everyone else, but I can't comment on the authenticity of those pictures. I do know that the captive bolt method is the only legal slaughter method for horses in Mexico."
After the U.S. plants shut down, the horse market crashed and many began bringing less than $100. A few horses can be bought for as little as $10-20, and the occasional free horse can be found. Certain low-quality horses will not bring enough to pay for the Coggins test required to run through them through a sale ring.
Brown says cheap horses have not helped their bottom line any because there are so many more expenses now. When they receive horses at Morton they must be tagged and branded before being shipped 370 miles to the border.
"We now have that expense, plus the added feed expense. There are also the brokerage fees. So these horse prices haven't helped us," she says.
Brown says that contrary to popular belief, very few good horses go to slaughter. For years they tried to find a few nice riding horses to use in the yard.
"They're not any good. The guys would try them and get thrown off and hurt, or the horses would be crippled. They are not what people envision them to be."
It has become popular with some to rescue slaughter horses. Brown says this rarely works out because the type of person who sets out to do this is generally not qualified to deal with a horse already deemed undesirable.
Animal rights organizations have become more assertive in their activities, with many hidden cameras and the occasional act of trespassing to shoot footage. Brown says they have not had too much trouble with the harassment, though there have been a few episodes. Two women followed a truck from Ohio to Morton, and then on to El Paso.
These women caused some trouble when they claimed that the same horses were on the truck from Ohio all the way to El Paso, which was not true. The truck unloaded in Morton and loaded a different set of horses bound for El Paso.
"I've had to talk to the state guys and the USDA guys on that. Those women even got some pictures of the yard from the inside. I don't know how they got in here, but they were here. And they put us on YouTube."
If those accusations had been true, BelTex would have been in violation of the law, but Brown says they operate according to the rules, and it is definitely in their best interest to do so. She has obvious compassion for the horses and says she prides herself on giving the best possible care. Besides, she would not risk the fine.
Horse slaughter critics have always talked much of the horses being scared, fearing death and knowing what is about to happen to them at the slaughterhouse. Brown acknowledges that the horses may be nervous about the new surroundings, but she cannot believe that a horse knows where it is and what is about to happen.
"I just don't agree with that. A horse is smart, don't get me wrong, but they don't think like humans."
Those opposed to horse slaughter have long touted euthanasia as the better choice over slaughter. Brown has seen horses euthanized and knows that it isn't always the peaceful end that some may advertise it to be. She has seen horses flip over or thrash when euthanized incorrectly, and she firmly believes that the captive bolt is no worse or even better than a needle.
Brown doesn't know if the proposed law will pass, but she doesn't see how the country can afford to let it. If it does pass, someone will have to step up and start taking care of all the horses that otherwise would not be on the feed bill.
"There is nowhere for them to go. The shelters are all running over the limits, and they are fixing to get in trouble. The government will have to step in, and then the taxpayers are going to pay.
"These people don't know anything about agriculture at all, but they're trying to tell us how to run our lives. It's pretty sad when here in the United States they are telling us what we can and cannot do with something that is ours to begin with," she says.
"I hope this won't pass, but I can't say that it won't, because we've all seen what can happen."
http://www.livestockweekly.com/
