Since 1989, over 2 million horses have been slaughtered at USDA-approved
horse slaughter plants. Although the number of horses slaughtered
in the United States has fallen substantially over the years, 63,000
were slaughtered during 2003. These horses, some quite old, some
lame, and some blind, are sold at auction terminals and then transported
in double-deck, straight or gooseneck trailers to the plants located
in Illinois, Texas and Canada. To ensure these equines destined
for slaughter are handled and transported in a humane way, and
in response
to
action taken by various humane organizations, Congress included
in the 1996 farm bill authority for the Secretary of Agriculture
to issue guidelines to regulate the commercial transportation of
equines to slaughter by persons regularly engaged in that activity
within the United States.
Owner/Shipper Certificate
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Welfare
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