Anti-Horse Slaughter Legislation Introduced in Ill

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Anti-Horse Slaughter Legislation Introduced in Illinois
U.S. one step closer to banning horse slaughter

Springfield, IL (February 22, 2007) - A bill introduced today in the
Illinois State Legislature could soon signal the end to the practice of
horse slaughter in the United States.

Illinois is the only state where significant horse slaughter continues.
A recent federal court decision has made it hard for two Texas plants to
operate, and likely will lead to their permanent closure. The three
facilities are the only ones in the country that slaughter horses and
export the meat for human consumption in Europe and Asia.

The Illinois bill, HB 1711, is sponsored by State Rep. Bob Molaro
(D-Chicago). It would prohibit the transportation of horses into the
State for the sole purpose of slaughter for human consumption.

A Belgian company, Cavel International, runs a horse slaughter plant
near DeKalb, IL. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, just
over 100,000 American horses were slaughtered last year at the three
facilities in DeKalb, Fort Worth and Kaufman, TX.

"When I read about the Jan. 20th 5th Circuit Court decision upholding a
longstanding Texas law which bans the slaughter of horses for human
consumption, I was thrilled to learn that two of the remaining three
companies engaged in this grisly business had finally been shut down."
said Molaro.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) and the Illinois Department of
Agriculture supported a similar bill when it was last introduced, and it
is anticipated that they will support it again. Illinois Rep. Jan
Schakowsky (D) is leading the federal effort with a bill cosponsored by
Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) and Ed Whitfield (R-KY). Similar legislation is
pending in the U.S. Senate.

"Illinois has long been a leader in animal protection and anti-cruelty
laws, and as such, it is high time we put an end to equine cruelty and
join Texas and all other US states in protecting horses from needless
slaughter." said Molaro.

In May of 2004 a similar bill easily passed the Illinois Senate, but was
narrowly defeated in the House because of an unrelated issue. This year,
we are confident the legislation will clear both houses and be signed
into law by Governor Blagojevich," said Chris Heyde, deputy legislative
director of the Society for Animal Protective Legislation. "Horse
owners, veterinarians, residents of Illinois and the American people
want an end to slaughter, and Illinois legislators are standing up to
end this cruel industry. We commend State Rep. Molaro and Congresswoman
Schakowsky for their leadership."

The Society for Animal Protective Legislation, the Animal Welfare
Institute's legislative arm, is the unsurpassed leader in obtaining laws
to benefit animals in need, including the protection of domestic and
wild horses. More information is available at
www.saplonline.org/horses.htm.

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For More Information Contact:

Chris Heyde, deputy legislative director SAPL - 703-836-4300



******************************
Christopher J. Heyde
Deputy Legislative Director
Society for Animal Protective Legislation
(A Division of the Animal Welfare Institute)
PO Box 3719 ~ Washington, DC 20027
T: [phone] ~ F: [phone]
www.saplonline.org <http://www.saplonline.org/>
www.compassionindex.org <http://www.compassionindex.org/>

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