Photo taken at RTF’s San Luis Obispo, Calif., satellite sanctuary by Tracy Tucker.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has restricted the export of live animals to Mexico — including the shipping of horses and other equines to slaughter — due to the detection of New World screwworm in the United States.
The halt comes as Congress is moving closer to finally imposing a ban on the export of horses for slaughter.
The amendment mirrors the goal of the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, a horse slaughter ban bill with 229 House cosponsors.
Last year, 25,050 equines were shipped to Mexican or Canadian slaughterhouses. About 85% were sent to Mexico.
The USDA export restrictions announced Monday also apply to cattle, sheep, goats, swine, pet dogs, and other species.
While we wait for the surface transportation bill to be taken up on the House floor, it’s important to ensure that the slaughter ban remains in the bill.
You can help:
Call (202) 224-3121. Urge your representative to oppose any effort to remove the horse slaughter ban amendment when the surface transportation reauthorization bill comes up for a vote on the House floor.
Send a message to all of your members of Congress asking for them to cosponsor the SAFE Act and the inclusion of anti-slaughter language in the surface transportation reauthorization bill.
Photo taken at our sanctuary by Tracy Tucker.