President Obama released his Fiscal Year 2014 budget proposal on Wednesday – which includes a request to block funds to inspect horse slaughter plants in the United States. The Safeguard American Food Exports Act is a bipartisan measure introduced by four Congressmen and women that would prevent the introduction of horse slaughter operations in the U.S., end the export of American horses for slaughter abroad and protect the public from consuming toxic horse meat. In 2005 – a similar block occurred and shutdown the horse slaughter industry in the country – but it was not renewed in 2011. The Humane Society of the U.S. and other animal welfare organizations support this new attempt to ban horse slaughter. While there are no operating horse slaughter facilities in the U.S.
USDA says it has received at least six applications. HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle says it’s a fool’s errand to inspect tainted horse meat and the Obama Administration is wise to reject that path and embrace the idea that horses belong in the stable – not on the table.