What are the results of the horse slaughter ban?

Answer 1

Horse slaughter is not banned in the strictest sense, the federal government just stopped funding the use of meat inspectors (USDA veterinarians) to certify horsemeat for human consumption. That being said many horses are now shipped out of the country and slaughtered using much less humane techniques

than those used in the United States. The horses are often still not transported humanely. The US slaughter industry was replete with abuse and violations that were exposed by various animal rights groups, however, the ban on US slaughter has merely shifted the abuse to transport and to other countries.

As with a number of livestock slaughter industries, a lack of concern for the general welfare of the animals (rough handling, inadequate restraint to insure quick/ immediate, stress free death, transport of injured animals to slaughter, transport using inappropriate trailers for the animals) has openned the door

for appropriate ridicule from welfare organizations as well as concerned animal lovers.

There are a number of schools of thought on how best to addres the continued issues with horse slaughter. Ranging from making the slaughter of horses completely illegal to continuing slaughter without restrictions.

The government has moved in the direction of funding veterinary inspections

of horsemeat which has created renewed interest in US horse slaughter. The industry needs to take steps to insure their charges are treated correctly and assured a careful stress free death.