House panel narrowly backs law that effectively bans horse slaughter for human consumption

Concern about abuse and abandonment of horses may be stirring opposition in Congress to legislation that removed the floor from the horse market by denying federal funds for inspection of horse slaughterhouses. (Sign on US 62 between Summit and Elizabethtown, Ky., offers cash for unwanted horses; photo by Al Cross, Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues)

The House Appropriations Committee voted only 24 to 21 yesterday in favor of an amendment by Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., "to continue de-funding inspections of horses to be sent for slaughter for human consumption, meaning commercial horse slaughter would remain illegal in the United States," Agri-Pulse reports. "The amendment effectively keeps in place a shutdown of the practice begun six years ago when the full House passed language in a bipartisan 269-158 vote, Moran said."

The amendment was attached to the appropriations bill for the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. Agri-Pulse is a Washington-based newsletter available only by subscription, but it offers a free, four-issue trial subscription.