Agriculture, Rural Development and 2010 (H.R.2997)

So, how does this act have anything to do with horses? There are parts of this bill that deal with the closing of horse slaughter houses in the United States and what impact this has had on the horse industry. It addresses the questions of the well being of horses, the sale of horses, adoptions, exports and horses that have been deserted.

A report should be released by March 1, 2010, by GAO, addressing the current state of horse welfare in the US since horse slaughter facilities were closed. The GAO is instructed to consider how the horse industry has responded to the plant closings in terms of horse sales, exports, adoptions, and abandonments. In addition the GAO is instructed to review the impact that closures have had on farm income and state, local and government organizations. The bill also prevents any funds to be used for inspection of horse meat for human consumption.

It is expected that this bill will be signed by the President. Agriculture, Rural Development and 2010 (H.R.2997)