[SIZE=2]I just received the following email a little bit ago... and I am heartsick at best! It seems that the state of South Dakota is now looking to use the "taxpayer's" money to fund the building of a horse slaughter plant!! This is unconscionable!! especially when the majority of Americans do NOT want horse slaughter in the U.S. I am sending the following copy of the email to you, so that those of you who would like to respond can. I'm sure this information will NOT hit the mainstream media... For any of you outside the U.S. who feel compelled to do so, please contact the representatives listed and let them know how you feel. Horse Slaughter is not a "state" issue, and it is NOT only a "national" issue... it is a global issue!!
If you are in favor of protecting the horses, please forward to any and all who will contact the US Congress and House to let them know that this is time to get the National Bill S-311 and HR-503 passed so that horse slaughter is outlawed on a national level... then, contact those in South Dakota who are proposing this... Also, the residents of South Dakota need to know what is being planned for their "tax dollars"... There are people who are "hungry" in South Dakota... There are lots of "human" needs that need to be addressed in South Dakota, and these "legislators" are planning to use $1mil to give to "foreign" concerns to "kill" America's horses for "foreigners" to eat!!
The reason the foreigners want US and Canadian horses is because they can get them for a "pittance" in comparison to what they have to pay for horses in Europe... they pay only a couple hundred bucks for horses in North America... in Europe, it costs the "killers" $3,000. U.S. to "obtain" a horse to kill... Thus, even with the cost of shipping the "meat" to Europe, the "killers" stand to make another $1,500. in "profit" for EACH horse they "kill" and "butcher" in North America... now, take that $1,500. times the reported 100,000 horses slaughtered in the U.S. last year... that is $150,000,000. - one hundred fifty million dollars - over and above the huge profit they already make on "horse meat"... for those who may not know... Horse meat sells for upwards of $20. per pound in Europe... thus "IF" an average 1,000 pound horse yields only say 600 pounds of meat... that horse's "meat" is worth $12,000. to the "killers".... $12,000. times the 100,000 horses reported slaughtered in the U.S. last year eqals $so, you see "why" they want to process horses from North America!! It is all about money, and blood money at that...
Along with the suggestions that are made in the email below... I would suggest contacting local South Dakota news broadcasts, newspapers, etc. and give them the low down... I'm sure the South Dakota taxpayers don't have a clue what is being done by these supposed "state representatives"... and I'm sure the South Dakota people would love to have a "heads up"... If enough people contact the news media, especially from outside the state, and let them know the ramifications of this effort - that is affects the "nation" and not just the "state" - the news media will most likely do news stories on this issue!! It is very far reaching and affects "ALL" of our horses!!
January 27, 2008
SOUTH DAKOTA INTRODUCES BILL TO FINANCE HORSE SLAUGHTER PLANT
CALLS TO SOUTH DAKOTA AND WASHINGTON, D.C.
ARE URGENTLY NEEDED!
Dear Humanitarian:
A bill was introduced in the South Dakota legislature last week that would make a state-funded loan of up to $1 million available to anyone wishing to construct and open a horse slaughtering facility in the state. Introduced by multiple members of the South Dakota State Senate and House Agriculture Committees, S.B. 170 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Agriculture Committee at 10am on Tuesday morning (1/29/08).
Currently no horse slaughtering facilities operate in the United States: both Texas and Illinois shuttered the remaining domestic plants in 2007 in response to strong public opposition to horse slaughter. The opening of a plant in South Dakota would be a huge step backwards for American horses and would have a tremendously negative impact on the state.
What You Can Do
Please call all members of the South Dakota Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee to let them know that you oppose S.B. 170. If you live in South Dakota, tell them. However, you needn't be from South Dakota to call – passage of S.B. 170 will affect horses and people from across the United States. They can be reached at their Capitol offices by calling the operator at 605-773-3821.
Senator Jay Duenwald, Chair
Senator Cooper Garnos (cosponsor)
Senator Tom Hansen, Vice Chair
Senator Gary Hanson (cosponsor)
Senator Frank Kloucek (cosponsor)
Senator Jim Lintz
Senator Kenneth McNenny
Senator Jim Peterson
Senator Dan Sutton (cosponsor)
Call your United States Senators and Representative and urge them to cosponsor and support speedy passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (S. 311/H.R. 503). The federal bill, which has enormous and growing Congressional and public support, will prohibit the slaughter of horses in the United States for human consumption, as well as their export for the same purpose. Its passage will nullify S.B. 170 or any similar legislation. You can reach your legislators by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
Talking Points
In addition to your own feelings on horse slaughter, here are some points to raise in your calls:
Americans overwhelmingly oppose horse slaughter and this has resulted in the closure of the remaining foreign-owned domestic plants. South Dakota would be out of step with public sentiment if the state legislature passes S.B. 170 into law and this will reflect unfavorably on the state.
The overwhelming majority of horses they would slaughter come from other states, including stolen horses and horses sold under false pretenses.
Given that the federal American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act is anticipated to move in 2008, the loan made available via S.B. 170 would be fool hardy. The state risks pumping scarce taxpayer dollars into an industry that is likely to be shut down under federal law.
The FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill (which funds the federal government) currently before Congress includes a provision that prohibits the use of federal tax dollars for the inspection of horses going to slaughter – without which the animals cannot legally be slaughtered. It is anticipated that like measures will be included in future spending bills, too. South Dakota could find itself with a slaughterhouse that cannot operate due to federal funding restrictions.
The REDI fund, through which the loan would be made, is designed to promote job growth in South Dakota. The fact is that a horse slaughter plant would employ only a handful of low-paid, unskilled workers who are more likely to be a drain on the economy than a bonus.
The establishment of a plant in South Dakota would have a negative environmental and economic impact on the hosting jurisdiction. Disposal of blood, tissue and other waste associated with operating a plant would likely stress pre-existing sewer systems and could even require significant public expenditure to fortify the infrastructure.
To learn more about how you can help end horse slaughter please visit
Animal Welfare Institute To locate your federal legislator and see how they rate on AWI's Compassion Index check out
Compassion Index
Please share our "Dear Humanitarian" eAlert with family, friends and co-workers, and encourage them to contact those listed above, too. As always, thank you very much for your help.
Sincerely,
Cathy Liss
Director, Government and Legal Affairs
Animal Welfare Institute
Compassion Index[/SIZE]
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