Horse Slaughter On The Rise
Due to the epidemic outbreak of "Mad Cow" or"Foot-And-Mouth" disease in Britain and various countries within the European Union, people overseas are shunning beef and seeking out alternatives. Chicken and pork consumption is on the rise, along with horse meat. U.S. livestock markets have been affected by the the overseas beef crisis, and the situation is escalating.
Horses sold through U.S. auctions are in demand, not for their breeding, temperment or training, but for their flesh. The prices are steadily increasing, and killer buyers are getting as much as $.45 - $.75 per pound.
Now, more than ever, we need to take a strong position and protect our horses. Horses within the U.S. are NOT raised for food or fiber, and technically are NOT fit for human consumption. Now is the time, when the government is on it's toes, to step out and be a voice for the voiceless. Now is when they will listen.
Contact the media. Contact your local legislators. Contact the European Union (EU) and the USDA.
Every week, thousands of U.S. horses are being slaughtered for human consumption overseas, and it must stop.
RELATED ARTICLES:
Special Thanks goes out to Teri W. for researching several of the following stories/links!
Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CBS News - Report says "hundreds of feed producers violated regulations" and "the FDA is warning that companies could face seizures, shutdowns, even prosecution if they continue to violate rules meant to keep American livestock from eating slaughtered-animal parts"
February 10, 2001- article by Deborah MacKensie, New Scientist - Mad Cow Disease or "BSE may be about to go global".
"At a time when the European demand for beef has declined due to BSE, the horse export trade has doubled" - Gem de Silva, Compassion in World Farming (CIWF)
CBS News - Ireland Confirms First Case of Foot-And-Mouth, "Admitting it has lost control of the foot-and-mouth epidemic, Britain Friday announced drastic new steps to rein in the disease, including a plan to cull livestock in a "firewall" around every infected farm." "The situation is not under control at the moment," said David King, the government's chief scientist.
CBS News - Two truckloads of sheep left the Freeman farm under police escort.
CBS News - "the Food and Drug Administration quarantined a small Texas feed lot for violating strict rules that forbid using animal feed that contains ground-up bits of cattle"
Euro Suerveillance
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