Washington D.C. – Representative Vern Buchanan, R-Florida, has introduced the Safeguard American Food Exports Act, otherwise known as SAFE Act, unto the 115th session of congress. The act would permanently outlaw slaughtering horses and would outlaw shipping horses out of the country for slaughter.
While animal welfare organization applaud Rep Buchanan’s efforts, they are wary that such a bill will pass. Legislation has been introduced every year in congress since 2001 to outlaw slaughtering horses, and so far none have passed. With strong bi-partisan support on both sides of the aisle, this may be the session of congress that outlaws the slaughter of horses.
Critics of outlawing slaughter say that it will devastate the horse community, and will lead to mass abandonment and abuse of unwanted horses.