Anti-Horse Meat Sentiment Is Gaining Momentum

Kentucky, the horse capital of the world, is more horse-centric than ever, owing to growing U.S. opposition to their slaughter for consumption overseas.

Turns out Kentucky isn't alone. Public backlash has prompted several equine slaughterhouses to close up shop. Meantime, the number of U.S. horses slaughtered annually has fallen from 300,000 in 1990 to about 90,000 in 2005, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Federal law prohibits the use of double-decker trucks for transporting horses to slaughter. Many members of Congress are pushing for a national ban on slaughtering horses for human consumption.

Thus far, California is the only state that has expressly banned horse slaughter, though similar measures are under consideration elsewhere, including Kentucky, Maryland, New York and Illinois. Connecticut has made it illegal to sell horse meat in public places, and many states have tightened up the labeling and transportation requirements governing horses bound for slaughter.

Source: John Gregerson on Thursday, March 15, 2007