Horse Processing Bills

Several states are trying to pass various bills related to the slaughter horses.

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=16148&src=VW

A bill that would allow horse processing plant development in Tennessee advanced yesterday when members of the state's House Finance Subcommittee passed it by a slim 7-6 margin. The measure now moves on for full Finance, Ways and Means and Budget Committee consideration.

HB 1428 directs the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to establish licensing, inspection, operational regulations, and fees for horse processing plants in that state. The bill also insulates prospective plant developers from permit and licensing challenges and awards attorney and court fees to plaintiffs in cases courts deem harassing or without merit.

Wait, WHAT?? "Insulates prospective plant developers from permit and licensing challenges and awards attorney and court fees to plaintiffs in cases courts deem harassing or without merit"?? What kind of challenges exactly? Does that mean you're basically going to hand anyone that wants to open a slaughter plant a permit and say, "Here you go?"

The Tennessee bill mirrors a measure (HB 418) that became law in Montana last year, said sponsor Rep. Frank Niceley.

A companion bill, SB 1898, remains in a state Senate committee.

Tennessee is one of several states where horse processing legislation is either pending or has passed.

Last week the Missouri House of Representatives passed HB 1747. That bill establishes horse processing plant operation and meat inspection regulations and requires plant operators to pay registration and processing fees to underwrite meat inspection costs.

Meanwhile, Florida lawmakers are considering twin bills SB 1708 and HB 0765 that would make it a felony to slaughter horses and sell their meat for human consumption.

YEAH FLORIDA!!!! Now go charge the Miami horse butchers with everything you can. I think I'll go look up an update on those cases...

A Wyoming bill HB 122 allowing state livestock to process abandoned horses and sell their meat to prisons and other state institutions was signed into law last month.