August 19, 2003

Mr. Daniel Cordero Fernandez
Pš Dr. Severo Ochoa 14 4 A
Fuenlabrada 28945, Madrid, Spain

Dear Mr. Fernandez:

     Thank you for writing me to express your support for H.R. 857, the
Animal Horse Slaughter Protection Act.  I appreciate having this opportunity
to address your concerns, and apologize for the delay in getting back to
you.

     Let me first assure you that I would never support the cruel treatment
of animals and believe that states do an effective job of assuring animal
welfare.  However, I also believe in free trade and feel that government
restrictions on the trade in livestock and agriculture products should be
kept to a minimum.

     As you know, H.R. 857 was introduced by Representative John
Sweeney(R-NY) and was referred to the House Agriculture Subcommittee on
Livestock and Horticulture on March 3, 2003.  The bill creates criminal
penalties for slaughtering a horse for human consumption or importation or
export from the United States of horseflesh or horses for human consumption
Since this bill imposes unnecessary restrictions on trade, I am not prepared
to cosponsor this bill.

     While we may not agree on this issue, I look forward to hearing your
concerns about this or any other issue in the future. Thank you again for
writing me with your thoughts and views on H.R. 857.
                                                                            
                  John Shadegg                                                                            
                  Congressman                                                                            
                  Arizona 3rd District                                                                            
                  U.S. House of Representatives