Agricultural News
AFR/OFU Revises Horse Slaughter Policy to Include State-Inspected Facilities
Wed, 06 Mar 2013 08:00:25 CST
American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) recently adopted new policy regarding horse slaughter in Oklahoma. The issue arose after analysis of House Bill 1999 by Rep. Skye McNiel.
Existing organization policy on horse slaughter in Oklahoma was examined during the organization's 108th annual state convention Feb. 22-23. After discussion, 850 AFR/OFU member-delegates unanimously adopted a modified policy on the controversial issue.
AFR/OFU members had previously adopted policy that supported USDA-inspected facilities, as most prior debate on the issue had been at the federal level. Rep. McNiel's 2013 legislative proposal provides for state-inspected facilities, which present a broader range of potential options for farmers, ranchers and business owners.
Official AFR/OFU policy now states, "We support the appropriate harvesting of equine in properly inspected facilities."
"State-inspected horse slaughter is an all-encompassing solution for the current issue of unwanted horses in Oklahoma," said AFR President Terry Detrick. "This bill benefits our state's rural citizens, business owners and agriculturalists, and provides for the humane harvesting of unwanted horses. We commend Rep. McNiel and our state legislators for supporting economic development in the state of Oklahoma."
Detrick said that given the atmosphere of extremism and misinformation surrounding the issue, Rep. McNiel and other supporters of H.B. 1999 have endured extensive criticism and harassment by out-of-state animal activist groups.
"We commend Rep. McNiel for her boldness in presenting such a bill," said Detrick. "Oklahomans should drive state legislative policy, not radical animal rights groups. Rep. McNeil's bill is a step in the right direction."
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