Post by pokicowgirl on Mar 20, 2009 13:58:51 GMT -5
ANYONE OUT THERE WANT TO BOYCOTT MONTANA?
www.newwest.net/topic/article/montana_senate_passes_horse_slaughter_bill/C37/L37/
Montana Senate Passes Horse Slaughter Bill
By Natalie Neumann, UM Legislative News Service, Guest Writer, 3-20-09
The Montana State Senate on Thursday narrowly passed a bill that would make it easier for a person to start a horse slaughter or processing facility in the state. Currently there are no equine slaughter facilities in the United States, but there are facilities in Canada and Mexico.
The bill says a state court may not issue an injunction stopping or delaying the construction of an equine slaughter or processing facility. Democrat Dave Wanzenried of Missoula says the bill would create a special protection that is not necessary.
“For those of you who want to form a slaughterhouse. Form it, do it right. Do it according to the regulations you say you are going to abide by but don’t hamstring the legal process that something on it’s face, and i’m not an attorney, would appear not to be constitutional.”
Bill supporter Republican Senator Taylor Brown of Huntley says the issue of horse slaughter is hard to deal with because there is so much human emotion involved. Some opponents say their are other ways to dispose of unwanted horses. Rick Ripley, a Republican from Wolf Creek agrees there are other ways to dispose of horses, but they are limitted.
“Not everybody takes the responsibility, personal responsibility to properly dispose of their horses. They turn them lose. They leave them to starve to death.”
Some senators are concerned that horse meat could contain medication administered to horses that are harmful for human consumption. The Food and Drug Administration has no horse meat inspectors. Missoula Senator Carol Williams says no other state in the country wants to get into the horse slaughter business.
“Why do we? Why do we want to sully the reputation we have as Montana’s brand name with putting a slaughter house in Montana.”
Supporters of the bill say a facility would be good for the states economy. The bill passed on a 27 to 23 vote.
Natalie Neumann is reporting from the state capitol for the University of Montana’s Legislative News Service.
www.newwest.net/topic/article/montana_senate_passes_horse_slaughter_bill/C37/L37/
Montana Senate Passes Horse Slaughter Bill
By Natalie Neumann, UM Legislative News Service, Guest Writer, 3-20-09
The Montana State Senate on Thursday narrowly passed a bill that would make it easier for a person to start a horse slaughter or processing facility in the state. Currently there are no equine slaughter facilities in the United States, but there are facilities in Canada and Mexico.
The bill says a state court may not issue an injunction stopping or delaying the construction of an equine slaughter or processing facility. Democrat Dave Wanzenried of Missoula says the bill would create a special protection that is not necessary.
“For those of you who want to form a slaughterhouse. Form it, do it right. Do it according to the regulations you say you are going to abide by but don’t hamstring the legal process that something on it’s face, and i’m not an attorney, would appear not to be constitutional.”
Bill supporter Republican Senator Taylor Brown of Huntley says the issue of horse slaughter is hard to deal with because there is so much human emotion involved. Some opponents say their are other ways to dispose of unwanted horses. Rick Ripley, a Republican from Wolf Creek agrees there are other ways to dispose of horses, but they are limitted.
“Not everybody takes the responsibility, personal responsibility to properly dispose of their horses. They turn them lose. They leave them to starve to death.”
Some senators are concerned that horse meat could contain medication administered to horses that are harmful for human consumption. The Food and Drug Administration has no horse meat inspectors. Missoula Senator Carol Williams says no other state in the country wants to get into the horse slaughter business.
“Why do we? Why do we want to sully the reputation we have as Montana’s brand name with putting a slaughter house in Montana.”
Supporters of the bill say a facility would be good for the states economy. The bill passed on a 27 to 23 vote.
Natalie Neumann is reporting from the state capitol for the University of Montana’s Legislative News Service.
