Some call for rethinking horse-slaughtering ban
February 22, 2009
By Eric Naing, GateHouse News Service
SPRINGFIELD - Horse slaughtering was banned in Illinois two years ago as inhumane. But now some state lawmakers and horse enthusiasts want to lift the ban, hoping to improve treatment for animals they say face even worse circumstances now.
Springfield horse owner Dean Large supports the efforts behind House Bill 583, which would repeal the ban on slaughtering horses for human consumption.
"People have no way to get rid of their horses, so they just turn them loose or let them starve," said Large, a co-owner of the horse carriage rental service Feed Corral. "We never had this problem when we had the slaughter market."
Rep. Jim Sacia (R-Pecatonica) is pushing the repeal. He adds that the slaughter ban now sends horses to foreign countries for slaughter "where their end-of-life issue is anything other than humane." He said it is better for horses to be slaughtered here, under U.S. Department of Agriculture supervision, than in countries like Mexico.
Dr. Temple Grandin, an associate professor of animal science at Colorado State University, called conditions at Mexican horse-slaughtering plants, where horses are subdued by being stabbed in the neck, "hideous."
"I'm not saying that our horse-slaughter plants are problem-free, but even a poorly run slaughter plant in the U.S. would be preferable to horses going down to Mexico," she said.
Read More
Apparently there is a little buyer’s remorse happening in the state of Illinois. There are some in the state legislature that are going to be pushing for a repeal of the law which banned horse processing in the state. You can also add Kansas to the list of states that is now considering passing legislation in support of domestic horse processing facilities.
Showing posts with label Illinois. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Illinois. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
HSUS in Illinois
Sow Stall Ban Initiated in Illinois Senate
USAgNet - 02/17/2009
Last week, legislation that would ban the use of gestation stalls in Illinois was introduced in the Illinois Senate.
The way it is drafted, it appears that the legislation would include farrowing stalls, as well.
Senate Bill 1337 was introduced by Sen. James DeLeo (D-10, Chicago). The bill has been initiated by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and was introduced as part of the group's lobby day on Feb. 10.
The legislation is similar to the ballot initiatives banning the use of gestation stalls, stalls for veal calves and battery cages for egg laying hens that have passed in California, Arizona and Florida. The proposed legislation would become effective January 1, 2010.
DeLeo has agreed to hold the bill until all information can be brought forward, including comments from the Illinois Farm Bureau and Illinois Pork Producers Association. Link
HSUS is running full throttle in the states right now. Everything from banning gestation stalls to redefining animal cruelty. If you disagree with what HSUS is trying to do, then you need to be getting involved in your state politics. Be in contact with your representatives, work with your ag groups that you are involved with, and if you don’t belong to some sort of trade group, you should. Now is not the time to be sitting back and thinking that someone will take care of this for you.
USAgNet - 02/17/2009
Last week, legislation that would ban the use of gestation stalls in Illinois was introduced in the Illinois Senate.
The way it is drafted, it appears that the legislation would include farrowing stalls, as well.
Senate Bill 1337 was introduced by Sen. James DeLeo (D-10, Chicago). The bill has been initiated by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and was introduced as part of the group's lobby day on Feb. 10.
The legislation is similar to the ballot initiatives banning the use of gestation stalls, stalls for veal calves and battery cages for egg laying hens that have passed in California, Arizona and Florida. The proposed legislation would become effective January 1, 2010.
DeLeo has agreed to hold the bill until all information can be brought forward, including comments from the Illinois Farm Bureau and Illinois Pork Producers Association. Link
HSUS is running full throttle in the states right now. Everything from banning gestation stalls to redefining animal cruelty. If you disagree with what HSUS is trying to do, then you need to be getting involved in your state politics. Be in contact with your representatives, work with your ag groups that you are involved with, and if you don’t belong to some sort of trade group, you should. Now is not the time to be sitting back and thinking that someone will take care of this for you.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sharing Ag's Story
A chance to tell agriculture’s story
In August 2005 the Stephenson County Farm Bureau had a unique opportunity to share the important message of agriculture’s relevance in our world to a special audience. On that sunny Saturday we brought our “adopted” legislator State Senator Edward Maloney (D-18th) and a busload of his constituents from the south side of Chicago and neighboring suburbs, for a day of education and rural hospitality in Stephenson County. The group visited Scheidairy Farms near Freeport, Bremmer Farms at Pearl City (where they enjoyed a delicious country lunch, petting zoo, and tour), and Adkins Energy Ethanol near Lena. Among those enjoying the day were the retired chief of the Chicago Fire Department and the assistant state’s attorney for Cook County. Read More
I always enjoy sharing the stories of how people are promoting agriculture in their area. The Stephenson Co. Farm Bureau in Illinois have enjoyed some great success with the bus tours of local farms. Congratulations to them for telling the story of agriculture!
In August 2005 the Stephenson County Farm Bureau had a unique opportunity to share the important message of agriculture’s relevance in our world to a special audience. On that sunny Saturday we brought our “adopted” legislator State Senator Edward Maloney (D-18th) and a busload of his constituents from the south side of Chicago and neighboring suburbs, for a day of education and rural hospitality in Stephenson County. The group visited Scheidairy Farms near Freeport, Bremmer Farms at Pearl City (where they enjoyed a delicious country lunch, petting zoo, and tour), and Adkins Energy Ethanol near Lena. Among those enjoying the day were the retired chief of the Chicago Fire Department and the assistant state’s attorney for Cook County. Read More
I always enjoy sharing the stories of how people are promoting agriculture in their area. The Stephenson Co. Farm Bureau in Illinois have enjoyed some great success with the bus tours of local farms. Congratulations to them for telling the story of agriculture!
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