Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOSWELL. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the amendment offered by Congresswoman LUMMIS.

As a farmer and senior member of the authorizing committee, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this issue and speak in opposition to the language in section 737 of the agriculture appropriations bill for FY 2012 and its attempt to limit state rights and commerce with respect to horse meat, and the safe and healthy inspection of those deceased animals.

The amendment before us would simply allow horse slaughter facilities to use their own money for inspections.

While no one likes the idea of slaughtering horses we must deal with the problem of abandoned and neglected horses in the United States.

We hear frequently on this topic the issue of humane treatment. However, on average, adoption facilities used as a ``last resource'' can only house approximately 30 horses.

Often times these adoption facilities are so over-crowded that older horses end up starving to death because the real last resort is abandoning these horses, which happens all too frequently.

Each year there are almost 100,000 abandoned and neglected horses in the United States. Opponent of horse slaughter often claim that unwanted horses can be moved to adoption facilities.

I believe that current limits on horse slaughter set poor precedent for legitimate livestock slaughter for reasons other than for food safety or public health.

As a long time horse owner, I understand the emotional attachment one can feel for an animal, however, currently with the over capacity of animal adoption facilities I have concerns on what would happen to abandoned and neglected horses each year.

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