Screw Montana! They passed the Law for Slaughter

[tinkerslady]

Montana Horse Slaughter Bill Becomes Law
by: Pat Raia
May 04 2009, Article # 14098
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A measure promoting privately-owned horse processing plant development in Montana became law on Friday when Gov. Brian Schweitzer allowed the bill to lapse into law.

HB 418 insulates prospective plant developers from permit and licensing challenges on environmental and other grounds, and awards attorney and court fees to plaintiffs in cases District Courts deem harassing or without merit.

The measure automatically became law after Schweitzer declined to sign or veto it 10 days after it reached his desk.

Schweitzer previously vetoed the bill, and sent an amended version back to the legislature. But legislators returned the bill to its original form and sent it back to Schweitzer a second time.

"The Governor made his opinion on this bill known, the legislature did the same. No action was taken and the bill has now become law," said Schweitzer's Communications Director Sarah Elliott.

HB 418 sponsor Rep. Ed Butcher said he was not surprised Schweitzer allowed it to become law by default.

"People in rural areas really got behind this legislation. I think this was the best move he could make considering the spot he was in," Butcher said.

www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=14098

www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/01/ap6369274.html

[piopico]

"People in rural areas really got behind this legislation"!!!!!
Why don't they just quit breeding horses just because they CAN!
Very disappointing.

[jenm]

From the HSUS:

Nancy Perry, vice president of governmental affairs for the Humane Society of the United States, which opposed HB418, questioned the significance of the bill's becoming law.

"This bill has practically no impact and probably will be struck down because of its unconstitutionality," she said.

Schweitzer rightly pointed out the bill's constitutional flaws, Perry said, and "it was irresponsible of the Legislature to send it back to him without the changes."

"Beyond that, it would be a losing proposition to attempt to open a horse slaughtering plant in Montana since the Congress prohibits inspection of horse meat for human consumption," Perry said. "That meat cannot move in interstate and foreign commerce."

[mickeyfan3]

What a chicken $hit for a governer. He can't even take a stand for or against something so wrong so let's it through by default?

Wow.

I hope it's shot down. But what the states all really need to do is start up humane euthanasia as they do with dogs and horses................and maybe require breeders to register their animals. That way only the reputable breeders that know what they're doing will be more likely to breed unless they're breeding for a horse to keep for themselves, no matter whether it's a colt, filly, or star prospect or not.

[MustangAppy]

Ironic that Montana was the first state to have a horse sanctuary set aside within it's boundaries....

[jenm]

May 7, 2009 17:56:15 GMT -5 MustangAppy said:

Ironic that Montana was the first state to have a horse sanctuary set aside within it's boundaries....

Very ironic, I had no idea. I also found it interesting that the Gov skipped town on Friday so he could go to the Kentucky Derby...