Post by Admin on May 16, 2007 19:32:15 GMT -5
Associated Press - May 16, 2007 5:44 PM ET
The Illinois Senate today approved a ban on slaughtering horses for human consumption.
The legislation passed 39 to 16 and goes to the governor -- who could sign it into law.
The US prohibits eating horse meat. But a DeKalb-based plant slaughters horses to export the meat to other countries.
Sponsoring Senator John Cullerton says horses are companion animals -- like dogs or cats -- and not livestock. The Chicago Democrat says it's inhumane to slaughter horses like hogs.
But senators representing farmers say horses are slaughtered at the DeKalb plant just as humanely as they are if rendered for other products such as dog food.
Republican Senator Brad Burzynski (ber-ZIN'-skee) of Clare says the legislation will close down the DeKalb plant and cost jobs.
The Illinois Senate today approved a ban on slaughtering horses for human consumption.
The legislation passed 39 to 16 and goes to the governor -- who could sign it into law.
The US prohibits eating horse meat. But a DeKalb-based plant slaughters horses to export the meat to other countries.
Sponsoring Senator John Cullerton says horses are companion animals -- like dogs or cats -- and not livestock. The Chicago Democrat says it's inhumane to slaughter horses like hogs.
But senators representing farmers say horses are slaughtered at the DeKalb plant just as humanely as they are if rendered for other products such as dog food.
Republican Senator Brad Burzynski (ber-ZIN'-skee) of Clare says the legislation will close down the DeKalb plant and cost jobs.