Contact: Melissa K. Carlson, (202) 225-4644

SWEENEY URGES USDA TO COMPLY WITH NEW REGULATIONS INTENDED TO STOP HORSE SLAUGHTER

Washington, DC –- Today Rep. John E. Sweeney (R-Clifton Park), along with 39 members of the US House & Senate, sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, reiterating Congressional Intent in their fight to end Horse Slaughter in the US.

This letter was written to ensure that the US Department of Agriculture complies with language included in the FY05 Agriculture Appropriations bill prohibiting the USDA from inspecting horsemeat to be used for human consumption. Without USDA approval, the horsemeat cannot be sold or exported for human consumption. In previous correspondence, the USDA had expressed reluctance to abide by this restriction.

“The slaughter of horses is an inhumane practice which must be eliminated,” said Rep. Sweeney. “By preventing the USDA from inspecting horsemeat which would otherwise be used for human consumption, we found a way to effectively shut this practice down. However, before we can declare victory we must first ensure that the USDA complies with these new regulations.”

The text of this letter is located in the attached document.

Letter to USDA

Slaughterhouse petition to USDA